By Varaidzo Matope

An inmate escaped from Harare Central Prison after driving away in a motor vehicle he was repairing at the prison workshops, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has confirmed.

The incident occurred at the Harare Central Prison Workshops, where the inmate was attached under a motor mechanics vocational training programme. The initiative forms part of ZPCS rehabilitation efforts aimed at equipping offenders with practical skills to support their reintegration into society.

ZPCS said investigations are currently underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the escape, and the matter has since been reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police for further action.

While acknowledging the incident as regrettable, ZPCS stressed that such cases are rare and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a secure correctional environment while continuing rehabilitation programmes. The service added that security measures are being strengthened to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and to avoid approaching the escapee if sighted. Anyone with information that may assist in his recapture is advised to immediately contact the nearest police station or ZPCS on 0242 706501 or 0242 762724.

Authorities say efforts to locate and apprehend the inmate are ongoing as they work to safeguard public safety.

Johane Masowe eChishanu Gorejena Penyeranyika Apostolic Sect leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa who was recently found guilty of s@xually assaulting a young girl within his congregation at Lily Farm, Nyabira has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.

While sentencing the clergyman, Harare Magistrate Estere Chivasa noted that the victim was a vulnerable child.

She emphasized that as a leader of the Apostolic Sect, Chokurongerwa had direct access to the minor, and while church leaders are expected to provide guidance and lead by example, he did the exact opposite.

Magistrate Chivasa also noted that Chokurongerwa had a previous conviction suggesting he is not a law-abiding citizen even though that prior offense was unrelated to the current s@xual abuse charge.

The State proved that the abuse took place over a period stretching from February 2023 to March 2024.

The victim gave birth to a baby girl in January 2024 and DNA tests confirmed Chokurongerwa as the biological father.

Authorities intervened in March 2024 after a tip-off led them to rescue the victim from a supposed “safe house” located in Mufakose.

A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after attempting to rape his 67-year-old employer while she was bathing.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the teenager appeared before the Rusape Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for attempted rape.

“The incident occurred on 14 December 2025 at around 1800 hours,” said the NPA. “The offender, who was employed as a domestic worker by the victim, followed her into the bathroom while she was bathing, covered her eyes with one hand, and attempted to rape her.”

Court records state that the victim resisted and threatened to assault him, prompting the offender to flee the scene.

“The matter was later reported to the police by the victim’s nephew, leading to the arrest of the offender,” the NPA said.