Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
A PRISONER, who is admitted at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, tried to snatch a rifle from a prison officer and, in the ensuing chaos, a shot was fired inside the hospital ward.
Fortunately, no one was injured but the drama left patients terrified.
The inmate, Marvelous Chinyama, is serving four counts of robbery and unlawful entry and one count of murder.The incident happened on Saturday at around 1:30pm.
“The leg iron attached to the bed hindered Chinyama’s ability to overpower the officer,” said the source. A shot was fired during the scuffle.”
The source said during the altercation, Chinyama bit the prison officer on the right hand and right ear.
Chinyama was transferred from Kadoma Prison Tuesday last week after being referred to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.
A nurse at the hospital, who requested not to be identified, told H- Metro, that the medical staff and patients were terrified by the incident.
“We scrambled for our safety as they wrestled each other as the inmate tried to take control of the rifle,” said the nurse.
Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Collect Mawire, told H- Metro he was out of the country from Wednesday last week.
“I just came back home yesterday. This may have happened when I was away. I will need to find out from my people,” said Dr Mawire.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Mashonaland West Provincial Public Relations Officer, Ibra Marumbwa, referred all questions to their headquarters.
No comment could be obtained from the police at the time of going to press.
