Online Reporter
Bulawayo Bureau
A 25-YEAR-OLD man, who staged a dramatic escape from holding cells at Nkulumane Police Station in Bulawayo by crawling through the ceiling and smashing a window to flee, has been sentenced to an effective one year in prison.
Joseph Madzivanyika, of Emganwini West, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to escaping from lawful custody by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere.
He was sentenced to 24 months in prison, of which 10 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
A further two months were suspended on condition that he pays US$25 compensation to the police station for the damaged window panes by September 1, leaving him with 12 months to serve.
In passing sentence, the magistrate said Madzivanyika’s actions were a serious offence that undermined law enforcement, adding that a custodial sentence was necessary.
When asked why he had attempted the escape, Madzivanyika feigned ignorance, telling the court that he “did not know” it was a crime to break out of police custody.
The prosecutor, Mr Milton Moyo, told the court that Madzivanyika had been arrested on August 6 for theft of property entrusted to him and was detained at Nkulumane Police Station.
The court heard that at around 2am on August 7, he climbed into the ceiling, dropped into a corridor, and smashed a window to force his way out.
Police officers on duty chased after him but failed to catch him.
However, his freedom was short-lived.
Later the same day, he was arrested in Nketa 9 suburb and taken back into custody at Nkulumane Police Station.
