Armed Robbery Suspect Re-Arrested After Dramatic Court Escape in Harare
Luke Zinyengere, an armed robbery suspect, was re-arrested after escaping from court with the help of a prison officer. He now faces additional charges including carjacking. The officer has been accused of facilitating the escape by providing a firearm. The situation raises concerns about prison security and accountability.
In Harare, police have re-arrested Luke Zinyengere, a 29-year-old armed robbery suspect, who dramatically escaped from court on Friday. Law enforcement reported that Zinyengere received a firearm from a prison officer, which he utilized to shoot at officers during his escape. The re-arrest occurred on Monday, following his alleged carjacking of a Mazda Demio outside the Harare Magistrates Court.
In addition to the initial robbery charge, Zinyengere now faces multiple other charges, including illegal possession of a firearm, unlawful escape from custody, and carjacking. Simultaneously, prison officer Donald Madzinga, 39, has been charged with facilitating the escape of Zinyengere and another inmate, Richard Marondera, who was captured shortly after. Both inmates are currently on trial for two armed robbery incidents, which include a major robbery at Quest Financial Services that resulted in the theft of $720,000 in February of the previous year.
The court proceedings revealed that Madzinga had conspired with the inmates and accepted a revolver from a relative of Zinyengere to assist in their escape for a fee of $700. The prosecution indicated that Tinotenda Zinyengere delivered the weapon to the prison officer, who then coordinated with the inmates over escape details via his phone.
On April 21, 2023, as planned, both inmates concealed the firearm in their clothing for their court appearance. After the day concluded, they executed their escape plan while being escorted to a prison vehicle returning them to Harare Remand Prison. Zinyengere brandished the firearm, causing chaos and allowing him to hijack a waiting vehicle amid gunfire with the prison officers. Madzinga is scheduled to return to court for a bail hearing on Tuesday before Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
The dramatic escape of Luke Zinyengere from court has underscored significant security lapses within the prison system, involving collusion from a prison officer. The situation brings to light the critical need for stringent measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Zinyengere now faces multiple charges following his re-arrest, while his accomplice and the implicated prison officer face serious legal consequences as the situation unfolds.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
