A SENIOR warden at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison allegedly
gave his civilian clothes to an inmate to facilitate the latter’s escape from
prison.
This was revealed at the Harare Magistrates’ Court
yesterday when the prisoner, Tawanda Chikonyora (35), pleaded guilty to
escaping from lawful custody.
It emerged that Chikonyora committed the offence after he
was only left with 39 days to complete his three-year effective jail term for
theft.
During mitigation, Chikonyora pleaded with the court for
leniency, saying he had no intentions to escape, but was forced by prison
officials who were receiving money from other inmates on his mobile phone which
was confiscated by senior prison officers during investigations.
Chikonyora said he managed to get access to his phone and
it would be used by other prisoners and prison officers to carry out
transactions using Ecocash in order to get favours.
The convict added that he was given civilian clothes and
bus fare by a senior prison officer, only identified as Gandawa, and managed to
sneak out undetected on January 24 this year.
Prosecutor Patience Chimusoro urged the court to impose a
stiff sentence, saying Chikonyora’s moral blameworthiness was high.
“The accused breached the trust that was bestowed on him by
the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services. An option of a fine or community
service will trivialise this offence and only a custodial sentence will serve
the interests of justice,” Chimusoro said.
Allegations against the convict are that on January 24 this
year at around 6am, he was assigned to his normal duties at the prison farm and
was supposed to report back at 6pm, but he did not.
Chikonyora is expected in court today for sentencing by
magistrate Victoria Mashamba. Newsday
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