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Crime Reporter
The suspected burglar who escaped from Harare Central Police Station holding cells on Sunday evening could have been assisted by some police officers.
Sources yesterday said several police officers had been questioned over the escape as it is strongly believed that the suspect could have bribed some personnel for assistance.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tadius Chibanda yesterday said they were still looking for the escaped suspect, whose name is being withheld.
“Investigations are still in progress and there are no developments as of now,” he said.
However, sources close to the investigations said there was suspicion that the escape was planned with police officers.
“With the way it occurred, there could be no way he could have done it alone. We believe that the suspect was assisted by some of our officers,” a senior cop said.
Indications are that the suspect tied blankets together and used them to lower himself from a fire escape exit at the police station.
While there were rumours that more than one suspect had escaped using the blankets, police could only confirm one escape.
The suspect was facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.
It was reported that the suspect could have sneaked out of a holding cell, accessed a fire escape exit and used blankets as a rope to leave the building.
On the same day another suspect arrested on a murder charge was found dead in a holding cell.
The suspect used a blanket to hang himself from the holding cell’s steel bars.
The escape and the suspected suicide were discovered on Monday morning during a routine roll call of suspects. Police have beefed up security at the station.
In September 2007, a suspected armed robber and rapist escaped from holding cells at Harare Central Police Station in unclear circumstances.
Musakanza Chokokera alias Jimmy Paungano (25) had been taken from Harare Remand Prison to the police station by investigating officers for further questioning when the escape occurred.
Chokokera was awaiting trial on several charges of armed robbery and rape. In July this year, another suspect escaped from the holding cells at Bulawayo Central Police Station using blankets as a rope.
Blessing Gwashavanhu (22) of 631 Section 2 Kambuzuma in Harare, had been arrested in Bulawayo in connection with burglary.
Two months ago, two prisoners escaped from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison Farm after reportedly attacking a prison officer with a pick head, leaving him for dead.
Online Reporter