Luke Zinyengere, an armed robbery suspect, was re-arrested after escaping from court with the help of a prison officer who allegedly provided him with a firearm. He now faces multiple charges, including illegal possession of a firearm and carjacking. The officer implicated in the escape will face court proceedings regarding his actions.
On Monday, police re-arrested Luke Zinyengere, a 29-year-old armed robbery suspect who had previously escaped from custody. His escape occurred during a court appearance last Friday, where a prison officer allegedly supplied him with a firearm, which he subsequently used to shoot at prison officers during his flight from justice.
Zinyengere now faces several charges in addition to armed robbery, including illegal possession of a firearm, unlawful escape from custody, and carjacking, as he stole a Mazda Demio while fleeing the Harare Magistrates Court. His re-arrest coincided with the arraignment of Donald Madzinga, a prison officer, who is implicated in assisting Zinyengere’s escape.
Court proceedings revealed that Madzinga, 39, allegedly conspired with Zinyengere and another inmate, Richard Marondera, assisting them by facilitating their escape plan, which included a revolver. Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti disclosed that a relative of Zinyengere provided the firearm to Madzinga, for which Madzinga reportedly charged the inmates US$700.
The court was informed that communication between Madzinga and the inmates regarding their escape plan was facilitated via his mobile phone. On March 21, 2025, both inmates successfully concealed the firearm and executed their escape plan, which involved Zinyengere using the firearm to create chaos as he and Marondera attempted to escape from lawful custody while being escorted to a prison truck.
Luke Zinyengere’s re-arrest highlights serious breaches in the prison system, particularly concerning the alleged complicity of prison officer Donald Madzinga. The case sheds light on the potential for corruption and collusion within correctional facilities, leading to dangerous situations that compromise public safety. Zinyengere’s additional charges following his escape underscore the severity of these actions, illustrating the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
