Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
Prisoners who masterminded a foiled jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison had access to a mobile phone, the court heard yesterday. Convicted Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura and armed robber Lucky Matambanadzo, 39, Blessing Chauke, 25, Lucky Mhungu, 38, Taurai Dodzo, 47, Thomas Chacha, 37, Thulani Chizema, 32, Jacob Sibanda, 28, and Elijah Vhumbunu, 38, are suspected of inciting the jailbreak.

The accused are serving various sentences ranging from 12 to 40 years. Giving his defence yesterday Matambanadzo told the court prison officers neglected shot inmates. “Those inmates who were shot were bleeding and no one helped them. Suddenly panic grabbed inmates and they started splitting up.

“James Mukarati had a cell phone and gave it to me. We wanted to call for help from the police or newspapers and let people outside know that most of us were injured. “I gave the cell phone to Taurai Dodzo who later gave it to Mhungu but the gadget didn’t have network,” he told the court.

Matambanadzo added that it was never their intention to escape nor did they discuss to cause havoc. “All we needed was food. Our arrest was a cover up on how prison officers killed inmates for asking for better conditions,” said Matambanadzo. The nine are facing attempting to escape from lawful custody, incitement in aggravating circumstances or alternatively conspiracy in aggravating circumstances for allegedly maliciously damaging property charges.

They are also facing charges of incitement to assault or resist a law officer. Prosecutor Michael Reza alleged that on February 13 in the morning in B Hall, Gumbura allegedly incited other inmates to protest over alleged infringement of their rights by the type of food they were being given in a bid to create chaos so that he and his accomplices could escape during the commotion.

On the same day during the night, all inmates in B, C and D halls spent the whole night singing and hitting cell bars. With the intention to escape, Chauke, Matambanadzo, Mhungu, Dodzo, Chacha and Chizema allegedly addressed inmates in C hall and influenced them to refuse food. Sibanda, Vhumbunu and the other three inmates who are now deceased were allegedly addressing inmates in D hall to do the same.

Officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Marange sent his deputy, Superintendent Dumbura to address them. Before food was served, Titus Mandikodza, who is now late, went on top of the roof through a hole in the asbestos sheets which they had already drilled, the court heard. Violence erupted, with prisoners vandalising property whose value is estimated at $450,000.

You Might Also Like

Comments