One of the two inmates who escaped from custody at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on 21 March 2025 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to escape from lawful custody.
Tafadzwa Richard Marondera, who was already facing robbery charges, made a bold attempt to flee from prison officers in broad daylight.
He was apprehended shortly after the incident, while his accomplice, Luke Zinyengere, managed to evade capture for three days before being re-arrested.
The two inmates had earlier been denied bail by the High Court. It is alleged that their escape was facilitated by a corrupt prison officer, Donald Madzinga, and Tinotenda Zinyengere, the younger brother of one of the escapees.
Tinotenda reportedly smuggled a revolver into Harare Remand Prison, concealed inside a bowl of rice, and handed it to the inmates with the assistance of Madzinga.
On the day of the escape, as the inmates were being escorted to the Harare Magistrates’ Court for routine proceedings, Zinyengere concealed the firearm in his waistband.
After the court session, while being escorted back to the prison vehicle, Zinyengere drew the weapon and threatened the escorting officers.
In the ensuing chaos, he managed to flee, scale the perimeter fence, and disappear into traffic along Mother Patrick Avenue. Marondera, however, was immediately apprehended before he could escape.
Shortly after fleeing the court, Zinyengere allegedly hijacked a brown Mazda Demio by threatening the driver with the firearm. The vehicle was later found abandoned on Kaguvi Street the following morning.
Witnesses reported seeing a man matching his description, dressed in civilian clothes, fleeing the scene on foot.
Following a three-day manhunt, detectives located Zinyengere near Electrosales along Mutare Road. A dramatic foot chase ensued before he was eventually subdued and arrested.
Harare Regional Magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni sentenced Marondera to 10 years’ imprisonment for attempting to escape from lawful custody.
Zinyengere is yet to be sentenced. In court, he denied hijacking the vehicle, claiming the car had been arranged in advance and that he had paid the owner.
He has requested the court’s permission to summon a witness to support his claim. Proceedings were adjourned to allow time for the witness to appear.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zims-worst-prison-escape-artist-caged-for-10-more-years">The Sunday Mail</a>

Pindula News

An armed robber tried to escape from prison guards and got caught. He received a 10-year sentence. He and his partner tried to escape from custody using a gun smuggled by a corrupt prison officer. The partner managed to escape but was later caught after hijacking a car. The robber denied hijacking the car and said he arranged it. He asked for a witness to support his claim. The court postponed the proceedings. The robber got 10 more years in prison while his partner's sentence is pending.

Armed Robber Receives 10-Year Sentence For Attempted Escape From Prison Guards

A 39-year-old Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer, Donald Madzinga, appeared before the Harare Regional Magistrates’ Court on Monday, for allegedly aiding the escape of dangerous armed robbers.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Madzinga is accused of accepting a US$700 bribe to help inmates escape from custody.
Madzinga allegedly used his phone to coordinate the plan and provided a revolver to facilitate the inmates’ escape. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
The inmates escaped from Harare Magistrates’ Court, with one hijacking a vehicle at gunpoint. Witnesses reportedly saw Madzinga handing over the firearm, and he was arrested wearing the jacket of one of the escapees.
Bail has been denied due to the seriousness of the crime, the risk of him fleeing, the potential to interfere with witnesses (some of whom are inmates), and the danger of further offences.
</blockquote>
The Magistrates’ Court also raised national security concerns, noting that Madzinga’s wife resides in the UK, which makes him a potential flight risk. Moreover, one escapee and the firearm used in the escape remain at large.

A prison guard named Donald Madzinga in Zimbabwe helped armed robbers to escape from jail for $700. He used his phone to coordinate the plan and gave a gun to the inmates. The robbers escaped from court, and Madzinga was seen giving the gun to them. He was arrested wearing one of the escapee's jackets. Madzinga's bail was denied because the crime was serious, and he might run away or harm witnesses. There are also concerns about national security because his wife lives in the UK, which could make him flee the country. One of the robbers and the gun used in the escape are still missing.

"Prison Guard Received US$700 To Help Armed Robbers Escape"

Donald Madzinga, a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer has been arrested for allegedly providing a gun to an inmate, Luke Zinyengere, who used it to escape from custody on March 21.
Zinyengere, 29, later engaged in a shootout with prison officers at the Harare Magistrates Court before hijacking a Mazda Demio to flee the scene.
Madzinga is set to appear in court on Monday, facing charges of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody.
Zinyengere had been awaiting sentencing for his involvement in an armed robbery at Quest Financial Services in Harare on February 25, 2024, where over US$700,000 was stolen.
He was among several suspects arrested in connection with the robbery, including two security guards who were sentenced to 48 months in prison for picking up cash dropped by the robbers and failing to report it as evidence.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/prison-officer-is-arrested-for-slipping-gun-to-inmate-who-shot-his-way-to-freedom-at-harare-court/">ZimLive</a>

A prison guard named Donald gave a gun to an inmate named Luke, who escaped and caused chaos. Luke got into a fight with other guards, then stole a car. Donald got arrested for helping Luke escape. Luke was waiting for a verdict because he was part of a robbery where lots of money was stolen. Other people involved in the robbery were also caught. Luke and Donald are in trouble with the law now. The whole incident happened in Zimbabwe.

Prison Guard Arrested For Slipping Gun To Inmate Before Shootout And Carjacking

Police have launched a manhunt for a prison inmate who escaped custody at the Harare Magistrate Court on Friday following a confrontation with prison guards. 
Reports indicate that the incident occurred when Luke Zinyengere (29) and others were being escorted into a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) van after a court session.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Zinyengere allegedly threatened a motorist with a pistol before seizing a Mazda Demio vehicle, which he used to flee the scene. Said Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that investigations are being conducted in connection with the escape from lawful custody and alleged armed robbery incident of a Mazda Demio vehicle at Harare Magistrate Court on 21st March 2025.
The Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Luke Zinyengere (29) who used a pistol and robbed a vehicle to escape from the court after engaging in a shootout with prison officers.
The Police assures the public that comprehensive investigations are underway to establish what actually happened in this incident.
</blockquote>
It is suspected the firearm may have been brought into the facility by someone at the remand prison.
Zinyengerere’s accomplice, Tafadzwa Marondera, was apprehended at the scene after attempting to escape by jumping over the court’s palisade fence.
Both Zinyengerere and Marondera are facing armed robbery charges.

Police are looking for a man who escaped from jail. His name is Luke Zinyengere. He got away by threatening someone with a gun and taking their car. He ran away from the court after a fight with the guards. The police are asking for help to catch him. They are investigating what happened. Another person with him was caught at the court. Both of them are charged with robbery. The gun might have been brought into the jail by someone.

Police Launch Manhunt For Prison Inmate Who Escaped Custody Following Shootout

An armed inmate, Luke Zinyengerere, reportedly staged a dramatic escape from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers at the Harare Magistrate Court on Friday, 21 March.
According to reports, Zinyengerere pointed a gun at the officers escorting prisoners to a transport van, hijacked another motorist’s vehicle, and sped away.
Zinyengerere is alleged to have smuggled a revolver into the facility, which he used to threaten a prison officer before making his dramatic escape.
It is suspected the firearm may have been brought into the facility by someone at the remand prison.
Zinyengerere’s accomplice, Tafadzwa Marondera, was apprehended at the scene after attempting to escape by jumping over the court’s palisade fence.
Both Zinyengerere and Marondera are facing armed robbery charges.

An inmate named Luke Zinyengerere escaped from a court by threatening officers with a gun. He hijacked a car and ran away. He used a smuggled gun to escape. Another person with him was caught trying to escape. Both of them are facing charges for robbery.

Armed Robbery Suspect Escapes From Harare Magistrate Court And Hijacks Vehicle

An inmate at Bulawayo Prison has appeared before a magistrate for an alleged act of misconduct after he ejaculated between the thighs of a fellow intimate while they were asleep.
Brendon Moyo (24) of Njube appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu last week.
He was charged with indecent assault as defined in section 67 of the criminal law codification and reform act chapter 9:23.
Moyo was, however, acquitted after he argued that he did not intentionally do the misconduct as it was a result of a wet dream.
Magistrate Ndlovu ruled that there was no evidence that Moyo inserted his privates between the thighs of the fellow inmate intentionally.
She said wet dreams happen when someone is asleep and not aware of what is happening to them and therefore, it might be possible that the accused’s act was not intentional.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga said the incident happened on 11 November last year when the accused had allegedly invited a new inmate in Cell 7 to come to sleep next to him as the other side was crowded.
It was further alleged that during the night the inmate felt Moyo touch the lower part of his waist and he ignored him thinking it was a matter of overcrowding.
Around 3 AM, Moyo allegedly inserted his privates between the new inmate’s legs and ejaculated.
The inmate told other inmates who informed a prison officer leading to Moyo’s arrest.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/wet-dreams-claim-saves-inmate/">The Sunday News</a></h4>

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