KWEKWE — A serving prisoner, Reuben Sibanda, who bolted out of jail four years ago after stripping a prison officer of his uniform and leaving him tied to a tree, has accused the latter of facilitating his escape.
Report by Blessed Mhlanga
Sibanda (33) was re-arrested three months ago after his alleged escape from lawful custody on July 17, 2008.
Last Friday, he told trial magistrate Taurai Manwere that a prison officer, identified as Daniel Chivasa, had facilitated his escape together with another inmate, Talent Sithole, who is still at large. The court heard Sibanda escaped while serving time for robbery. It is the State’s case that on the day in question, Chivasa was tasked to escort Sibanda and Sithole to do some work near Kwekwe Golf Club.
To expedite their escape from custody, Sibanda and Sithole allegedly pounced on Chivasa, who was unarmed at the time, stole his service uniform and left him tied to a tree.
Chivasa later managed to free himself and reported the matter to the police.
“We did not beat up Chivasa or steal his uniform because we planned the escape with him. He actually called someone who brought us clothes which we used to escape,” Sibanda said in court.
