Two convicts escape from Chikurubi

Zim Now Writer

Two convicted armed robbers, who had months left on their respective sentences, have escaped from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, police said.

Ibrahim Mayeha and Mikia Pikirisi, who were herding cattle at Chikurubi Prison Farm, vanished at around 2pm on Sunday.

Police said the duo were considered “A Class”, a reference for prisoners serving short sentences or those about to be released who are not considered dangerous.

An internal police memo on the incident said a report was only filed with Highlands police at 1.20am on Monday, several hours after the two prisoners “escaped from lawful custody”.

Mayeha and Pikirisi were serving eight years and six years for armed robbery and were due for release in January and March next year respectively.

“Circumstances are that Mayeha and Pikirisi sneaked away from others whilst they were herding cattle at Chikurubi satellite farm,” the police memo says.

“At around 4pm, prison authorities received a call from an informer to the effect that the prisoners were drinking beer at Chamboko, Gletwin area. Upon receiving the information, the prison officers decided to wait for their return, thinking they will come back but to no avail.”

At least 126 prisoners have escaped from prison custody between January and October this year, according to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).

As part of efforts to curb prison escapes, ZPCS said it was installing closed circuit television systems at its maximum security prisons as well as arming its officers.