Prison escapee recaptured, another still at large

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ONE of the two inmates who broke out of Imbizo Barracks Prisons in Bulawayo late February was brought to court yesterday charged with escaping from lawful custody.

ONE of the two inmates who broke out of Imbizo Barracks Prisons in Bulawayo late February was brought to court yesterday charged with escaping from lawful custody.

BY SILAS NKALA

According to court records, Lungisani Maphala (23) of Old Magwegwe and Mhlupheki Ncube, who were serving unspecified jail terms, were found missing from their cells on Febraury 26 this year.

“At 7:30am, inmates (at Imbizo Barracks Prisons) paraded for breakfast,” prosecutor Manyonga Kuvarega said. “This is when the prison officers, Vincent Mudengezanwa and Vengai Rangayi, noticed that the two inmates were missing. Searches were conducted and they found that Maphala and his friend had jumped over the fence to escape from prison.”

The two are alleged to have removed their prison garb and worn civilian clothes before scaling the prison walls.

The following day, prison officers raided Maphala’s home in Old Magwegwe and allegedly found him hiding in a wardrobe.

They arrested him and took him to Bulawayo Prisons. Ncube is still at large.

Maphala was remanded in custody to May 4 for trial when prison officers are expected to testify.