Prison guard faces jail for altering medical repor...

Prison guard faces jail for altering medical report to free armed robbery suspect

**Takawira Taderera, with woollen hat, arrives at the Harare Magistrates' Courts**

Zim Now Writer

A ZPCS officer who was implicated by an accused for altering a medical report has been taken to court.

Witness Nyarupa, 44, Kambuzuma and Takawira Taderera, 42, of ZPCS Camp, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with obstructing the course of justice.

The State through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that on December 2, 2021, Nyarupa, was arrested by detectives from CID Homicide Harare facing 4 counts of armed robbery charges and taken to Harare Magistrates’ Courts where he was placed on remand in custody pending completion of investigations whereby his subsequent trial will follow.

While at remand prison, the trial proceedings were stalled after he said that he had a hearing impairment and the State applied that he be examined by an audiologist.

It is alleged that on June 23, 2023, Nyarupa was taken to Audiomax Clinic by officers from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services where he was examined.

An audio logical evaluation was done on him and the doctor compiled a report, which concluded that accused could hear normally using both ears.

The doctor compiled her report, which was sent to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional services Harare Remand prison for further management.

While at Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional services, Harare Remand prison, it is alleged that Nyarupa connived with Taderera, who is employed at ZPCS as a court orderly at Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

Taderera allegedly intercepted the report and made material alterations on it and crafted another medical report with a conclusion that Nyarupa is not able to hear using both ears.

The State alleges that Taderera stamped the report using a ZPCS Harare Remand Clinic date stamp and took it to the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for the attention of the court.

On January 17, 2024, the trial prosecutor subpoenaed the audiologist to come to court to explain and simplify some terms, which were not clear to persons who are not in the medical field.

When the audiologist came to court, she allegedly distanced herself from the report which had been tendered by Prisons.

It became apparent from the proceedings, that the report was fake and aimed at defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

On January 22, 2024, Taderera was arrested for this offence.

On January 23, 2024, Nyarupa was booked from ZPCS Harare Remand prison for questioning.

It is alleged that he was questioned and admitted to have communicated with Taderera to intercept the medical report and make alterations so that it would read to his advantage.

He implicated Taderera as his accomplice in facilitating the alterations of the exhibit together with one Ignatius Bumhira, who is still at large.

Taderera was remanded in custody.