Prison Escapee Recaptured Hours Later, Jailed 18 Months

An inmate who escaped while on a prison work detail has been jailed for 18 months after being recaptured hours later along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.

Patrick Chiziri, 26, of Muzari Farm in Mutorashanga, was convicted of escaping from lawful custody by the Karoi Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

The court heard that Chiziri was serving a 12-month sentence at Hurungwe Prison for unlawful entry when he escaped.

On October 7, 2026, at around 0700 hours, he had been deployed to work at Langham cattle kraal when he allegedly fled.

The State said a prison officer received a tip-off from an anonymous caller at around 0800 hours, reporting that an inmate had been seen in the Karuru area.

A search team was dispatched from Hurungwe Prison at around 0900 hours.

Chiziri was recaptured at approximately 1300 hours along the Harare-Chirundu Road, near Moy Farm in Karoi.

He was taken back into custody and subsequently brought before the court, where he was convicted and sentenced.