Harare, (New Ziana) – Two suspected armed robbers involved in a movie style escape prison guards at the Harare Magistrates’ Court last week have been re-arrested and arraigned before the court over the daring act.
Tafadzwa Richard Marondera, a 29-year-old inmate at Harare Remand Prison and his accomplice Luke Zinyengere, both facing multiple armed robbery charges, orchestrated a daring escape attempt from lawful custody at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on the March 21 according to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ).
The State alleges that Marondera and Zinyengetere planned the escape after their High Court bail application was denied in early March 2025.
They allegedly recruited prison officer Donald Madzinga to help them to smuggle a revolver into the prison.
Zinyengere’s elder brother only named as Luke, delivered the weapon, concealed in a bowl of rice. Following their court appearance in Court 12, Marondera and Zinyengere produced the revolver while being escorted to the prison truck, threatened prison officers, before scaling the court’s palisade fence, and fled towards Mother Patrick Road. During the ensuing chase, shots were exchanged.
Marondera was apprehended by a prison officer who tripped him as he ran along Mother Patrick Road.
Zinyengere was arrested on the 24th of March 2025, in the Msasa area while Madzinga is also now in custody for criminal abuse of office.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man from Plumtree, Matabeleland South has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping a 4-year-old ECD B learner. The rape occurred on March 4 this year in the Mangwe area.
The young man, who is related to the child, raped her while she was on her way from school.
He intercepted the victim, took her to a secluded area by the river, and raped her. The complainant narrated the story to her grandmother leading to the man’s arrest.
The NPAZ said the case serves as a stark reminder that child abuse can occur within families and urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and attentive to the well-being of their children.
New Ziana
