Chronicle Editor
Nonsikelelo Ndlovu, Chronicle Correspondent
A DARING escape attempt by two inmates awaiting trial was foiled by authorities on Tuesday, thanks to a tip-off that led to the arrest of corrupt prison officers.
Shepherd Ndlovu and Tatenda Mpofu, who were being transferred from Esigodini prison in Matabeleland South to Khami remand prison in Bulawayo, had been planning their escape with the help of a syndicate of corrupt prison officers.
The two hardened inmates, who are facing multiple charges of public violence, attempted murder, rape, and robbery, had allegedly bribed the officers to facilitate their escape.
However, police sources revealed that authorities had been monitoring the situation and pounced on the syndicate before the escape could take place.
“We received information that a group of prison officers had been accepting bribes and stage-managing escapes,” said a police source. “We acted swiftly and arrested several officers, including Zakhele Moyo and one only identified as Khabo, who were involved in the plot.”
The source added that the foiled escape attempt was a major breakthrough in the fight against corruption and criminal activity within the prison system.
“We expect more arrests in the coming days as we continue to weed out corrupt elements within the prison service,” said the police source. “We will not tolerate any form of corruption or criminal activity that undermines the justice system.”
Ndlovu and Mpofu will continue to face trial for their alleged crimes, while the arrested prison officers will face charges of corruption and aiding escape.
The incident has raised concerns about the level of corruption within the prison system and the need for urgent reforms to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Police have urged anyone with information about corruption or criminal activity within the prison system to come forward and assist in the investigation.
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