Fifteen suspected criminals who were appearing at the Harare Magistrates’ Regional Court on charges ranging from armed robbery, rape, attempted murder, indecent assault and fraud, among other offences, are reportedly on the run after defaulting trials on different dates.
Yesterday, the Regional Clerk of Court office was a hive of activity as the clerks compiled the respective warrants of arrest forms preparing them for signing by the magistrates before being dispatched to different police stations for action.
Among the defaulters is Kudakwashe Chavhunga (19) who allegedly committed a spate of rape cases on minor children and has been on the run since March 2010.
Another fugitive is Patrick Ncube (22) who is facing an attempted murder charge after attempting to run over a police officer at a roadblock in May this year. He was remanded out of custody on $50 bail.
The other fugitives who are set to appear on the police wanted list are a 14-year old Mabvuku teenager facing an attempted rape charge, Marko Chingoma (28) for theft of a motor vehicle charge, Raphael Chemhere (24) facing aggravated indecent assault, George Bhami (29) for armed robbery and Beverly Calverwell (53) facing a theft charge.
Others on the run are alleged rapists Johannes Chivara (39), Ephias Chimuriwo (19), Nesbert Gwindi (20), Stewart Chitombo (26) and Gift Matuka (38).
Hillary Bopoto (18) facing an attempted murder charge and a managing director of a debt collecting firm, Emmanuel Tandi, faces theft of trust property charge involving over $118 000 are also at large.
