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.

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.

Police have arrested two men accused of orchestrating a widespread scamming operation that targeted farmers and businesses advertising goods online, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.

The suspects are currently being detained at Braeside Police Station, where they are facing more than a dozen fraud-related charges.

Authorities say the arrests follow multiple complaints from victims who lost significant sums of money in transactions involving high-value goods.

According to investigators, the suspects allegedly posed as genuine buyers responding to online advertisements, particularly those involving farming equipment and business assets.

During face-to-face transactions, the suspects would reportedly hand over what appeared to be cash payments in United States dollars.

However, sellers later discovered that the money had been switched, leaving them with bundles of bond notes concealed beneath a single genuine USD note placed on top.

Police sources indicate that the scam has been operating for several years, with reported cases dating back to 2022. The arrests mark a breakthrough in a case that has affected victims across Harare and beyond.