A habitual thief, Moses Makotore (36), allegedly broke out of jail on Monday afternoon after serving half of his sentence and a day before he was due to appear at the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Courts for a restitution inquiry. BLESSED MHLANGA STAFF REPORTER
Makotore, who was serving an effective six-month jail term at Kwekwe Prison for trespassing, is alleged to have scaled the security fence at Kwekwe Prison around 2pm during Monday’s heavy downpour.
Makotore had initially been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for two counts of unlawful entry and theft and four months were suspended on condition that he restitutes one of his victims $2 228 by December 31 while another four months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
He was due to appear before magistrate Taurai Manwere for a restitution inquiry yesterday, but Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service officials told the court that Makotore had escaped from lawful custody.
Prison sources said police had swopped the prison compound and were treating guards on duty at the time of the alleged escape on Monday as suspects.
“Police are at the prison compound as we speak interrogating guards who were on duty with the view of pressing charges because they suspect it could have been an inside job,” a source said.
Kwekwe district police spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Lawrance Machingura refused to comment referring all questions to Inspector Emanuel Mahoko, who was not available. Police said they had launched a manhunt for Makotore, who has a history of breaking out of lawful custody.
“He once broke out of police custody when he was arrested for allegedly breaking into Meikles stores through the roof and stealing cellphones,” a source said.
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Kwekwe Prisons is also currently home to the notorious Masendeke brothers Edward and Ernest who are awaiting trial for the alleged murder of Jonathan Mpofu.
