By Takudziridzwa Nyama
The Harare Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 29-year-old inmate to 10 years in jail for escaping from lawful custody. The inmate, who was facing robbery charges, conspired with a fellow inmate to escape with the help of a prison officer who smuggled a revolver into the prison.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), states that sometime in March 2025, while imprisoned at Harare Remand Prison, facing robbery charges, the offender, residing at 1622 Glen View 7 Harare, conspired to escape with fellow inmate Luke Zinyengere, whose bail application was denied.
They enlisted prison officer Donald Madzinga to smuggle a revolver into the prison the offender’s brother Tinotenda delivered the gun concealed in a bowl of rice.
On the 21st of March, the offender hid the revolver in his pants and went to the Harare Magistrates’ Court where they were scheduled to appear in court.
As the offender was being escorted to the prison truck in order to be taken back to the Harare Remand Prison he threatened to shoot the prison officers before fleeing towards Mother Patrick Road, scaling the palisade fence around the court premises.
During the pursuit, shots were fired, and the offender was apprehended after being tripped by a prison officer.