Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A Gwanda Prison inmate has been jailed for four months after escaping from custody.
Nkosilathi Lunga was convicted on his own plea of guilty to escaping from lawful custody by Gwanda magistrate Mr Gillian Padzakashamba.
He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, of which two months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. He will serve an effective four-month jail term after completing his current sentence. Lunga is serving a three-year jail term for stock theft.
Prosecuting, Ms Mercy Nyathi, said Lunga escaped while he and other inmates had been sent to collect firewood.
“On 28 July at around 12pm, Lunga and other inmates were assigned to collect firewood at Mapane Prison Farm. They were left unattended, and the accused person took advantage and escaped.
“The matter was reported to the police. Lunga was tracked by prison officers who found him hiding at a place called Dry Paddock in his rural home in Kezi. The accused person was then escorted back to Gwanda Prison,” she said.
