The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a manhunt for a Karoi prisoner who was sentenced to 35 months in prison on two counts of unlawful entry and theft.
The prisoner escaped from Karoi Prison on Saturday.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged anyone with information of the prisoner’s (Gift Kavande) wherebouts to contact any police station.
According to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, 116 inmates escaped from jail between January last year and October this year, 64 last year and 52 this year, with police apprehending 40 of them so far.
The majority of the fugitives were B class prisoners who were allowed to work outside while serving their sentences in medium-security prisons.
ZPCS national public relations officer, Chief Superintendent Meya Khanyezi, told The Herald that Harare Central and Chikurubi Farm prisons had high incidences of prison escapes.
“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,” she said
Most fugitives, she said, sneaked away after asking for permission to answer the call of nature.
“Some A class inmates also abscond since they will no longer be under escort of a prison officer, given that they are of less risk and would have exhibited good behaviour,” said Chief Supt Khanyezi.
Meanwhile, ZPCS is installing closed-circuit television systems at maximum prisons, arming its officers and reinforcing the canine section to avert future prison breaks.
In March, a convicted armed robber was recaptured by police after escaping from Harare Central Prison. He spent four months on the run.
Richard Sasumba (40) was subsequently charged with attempting to escape from lawful custody.
