Escaped prisoner rearrested

Arron Nyamayaro

A convicted armed robber, who escaped from Chikurubi Farm Prison with about five months of his sentence remaining, was rearrested in Beitbridge on Friday.

Mikia Pirikisi escaped from prison and had been on the run for 197 days.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Meya Khanyezi, confirmed the rearrest of Pirikisi.

“The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service would like to confirm the rearrest of a convicted armed robber in Beitbridge,” said Chief Supt Khanyezi.

“The inmate was convicted and sentenced by a Harare magistrate. He had served four and half years during the time he escaped and was left with 167 days to complete his sentence.

“It is the duty of ZPCS to ensure that inmates awaiting trial and convicted do not escape from lawful custody.

“Nonetheless, some offenders sometimes employ various methods to find themselves out of confinement before finalisation of their sentences or other circumstances requiring them to be detained.

“We would like to assure society that as a correctional institution, we remain committed to our mandate as provided by the Constitution of Zimbabwe to ensure that those behind the walls are rehabilitated and reintegrated into respective communities,” she said.

Chief Supt Khanyezi said some released inmates commit crimes to return to prison after not being accepted back by communities.

“ZPCS is encouraging people to accept released inmates back into the community after completing their sentences.

“Some have turned prison cells into their homes because of stigma they face from society.

“Everyone is a potential prison inmate, so we are appealing to communities to accept those reintegrated into societies as well as to visit inmates while serving their sentences.

“A number of inmates regret their mistakes, and expect their relatives and friends to accept them back into society.

“Those committing crimes upon release are facing difficulties, so let us all embrace efforts being done during their incarceration,” said Chief Supt Khanyezi.