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Chikurubi jailbreak bid drags in Mnangagwa

News
A STATE witness in the trial of jailed cleric, Robert Martin Gumbura and eight other serving convicts facing charges of attempting a jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, yesterday claimed the prisoners wanted to rope in Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stage a coup de tat on President Robert Mugabe.

A STATE witness in the trial of jailed cleric, Robert Martin Gumbura and eight other serving convicts facing charges of attempting a jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, yesterday claimed the prisoners wanted to rope in Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stage a coup de tat on President Robert Mugabe.

by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU

Claudius Mutizwa had earlier alleged Gumbura and his co-accused had planned a jail break with the assistance of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, ex-prisoners and prison officers.

“After prisoners managed to escape, if they managed to escape, they were going to get hold of government officials while Mugabe was in China and get military weapons from various army and police bases,” he said.

“The first target was then acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa and they also did not want Mugabe to land on his return from China.”

Some of the psychiatric patients at Chikurubi Maximum prison.

However, Mutizwa contradicted his sworn statement to police that said Gumbura did nothing on the day in question when the alleged jail break attempt was made.

“It’s the police officer who typed who made the mistake. I insist Gumbura was the mastermind of the jailbreak,” he said during cross examination by Gumbura’s lawyer, Tapson Dzvetero.

Mutizwa, a convict serving time for motor vehicle theft and impersonating a police officer, had earlier left the court in stitches when he insisted that proof of his evidence against the suspects was “their presence in the dock” and his testimony.

“I have tangible proof which is the first accused (Gumbura) in the dock and the other proof is myself giving evidence in this court,” he said.

Gumbura is jointly charged with Blessing Chiduke (25), Luckmore Matambanadzo (39), Luck Mhungu (38), Taurai Dodzo (47), Thomas Chacha (37), Thulani Chizema (32), Jacob Sibanda (28) and Elijah Vhumbunu (38).

The trial continues today before magistrate, Francis Mapfumo.

Michael Reza is prosecuting the matter.