Jailbreak suspects ruling

break case referred to the Supreme Court on the basis that their rights have been infringed upon has been set for June 23 this year.
Matapo, Ruperts Chimanga, Phillip Chivhurunge, Lucky Mhungu, Bigknows Wairesi and Sairezi Shonhiwa are facing charges of attempting to break out of Chikurubi Maximum Prison. Matapo and Mhungu want their case to be referred to the Supreme Court arguing that their rights were being infringed upon. The suspects through their lawyer Mr Charles Warara claim the cells they are living in were once condemned and that they are being ill-treated.
Matapo and Mhungu told regional magistrate Mr Morgen Nemadire that there was no natural light in their cells.
Mr Nemadire, who is presiding over the matter, had the opportunity to visit the cells to acquaint himself with the conditions they are living in.
The pair also claimed they were denied access to information among other rights. However, prosecutor Mr Michael Reza says Matapo is “living large at Chikurubi”. He read a letter addressed to their lawyer Mr Nyandoro. In the letter, Matapo reportedly told his lawyer that he wanted him to bring him bacon, polony, coca-cola, relish, biltong, roasted chicken, breakfast cereals and sausages among other goodies. He also instructed his lawyer to help a man facing 16 armed robbery charges in his bail application because he wanted him to manage his affairs once he was granted bail.
Mr Reza said this showed that the application claiming infringement of rights was frivolous and vexatious. Mr Reza alleges that sometime in March last year the six connived with Asani Chikwanda (serving) to escape from prison.
Prison officer Donald Gwekwerere, who is currently on bail pending appeal, allegedly supplied them with tools.
On April 4, it is alleged, Chimanga, Mhungu, Wairesi, Chivhurunge, Shonhiwa and Matapo used a hacksaw to cut burglar bars securing the observation window to their cell. – CR.

 

 

 

It is alleged they smashed the window and got out but a prison officer caught them as they tried to make good of their escape.