Two prisoners escape from Gokwe Prison, rob shop o...

Two prisoners escape from Gokwe Prison, rob shop owner

Zim Now Writer

Two inmates who were serving three-year sentences for unlawful entry on Saturday evening escaped from Gokwe Prison before robbing a shop owner at Gwehava Business Centre of goods whose value has still not been ascertained.

One of the escapees was re-arrested, but his accomplice, Decent Sibanda of Kana Mission, is still at large.

Sibanda began his three-year sentence on June 1, 2021 and was expected to be released on May 31, this year.

According to a source, the duo was at a prison farm near Gwehava Business Centre, looking after prison cattle and maize.

They reportedly took advantage of the laxity of the prison security officials and escaped before robbing a nearby shop of some grocery goods and other valuables.

The value of the stolen goods is still unknown.

No comment could be obtained from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

Previously, ZPCS public relations officer, Superintendent Meya Khanyezi said 116 inmates escaped from the country’s prisons between January 2021 and October 2022, adding that most of these escapes took place at Harare Central and Chikurubi Farm where prisoners are allowed to go out and work.

“In 2021, 64 inmates escaped from our prisons, and 52 inmates in 2022 up to date, making a total of 116. Harare Central and Chikurubi Farm prisons have a high incidence of escapes since these stations have more B class inmates, who go out of prison to work,” Sup Khanyezi said then.