Chikurubi Prison escapee shot

CONVICTED criminal Carrington Mutambarika (21), who recently staged a dramatic escape from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison where he was serving time for robbery, was re-arrested last week after police shot and injured him as he attempted to flee during indications in Mutare.

Mutambarika, who escaped at Chikurubi together with Brighton Tshuma (23), on October 23, after knocking a prison guard unconscious with a pick in the head, was shot on the right leg.

The incident occurred last Friday at around 3pm in a thicket adjacent the Mutare Industrial area, where he had led detectives for recovery of some cell phones and laptops he claimed to have concealed in the area.

However, on getting into the thicket, he took to his heels, forcing an alert detective to open fire.

Mutambarika, who was serving seven years for robbery after being sentenced in 2010, and was due for release in 2015, was taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital where he was treated and discharged under guard.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, said though Mutambarika last Saturday appeared in court and was remanded in custody, he was still assisting police with investigations.

"During the indication process, he took advantage of the thicket and started running away. As he fled, two warning shots were fired in the air, but he did not stop. Police officers were left without option, but to shoot him. He was shot on the thigh, fell down and was re-arrested," said Asst Insp Chananda.

The latest incident follows Mutambarika's arrest in connection with a case of unlawful entry at Quick Technologies and Bicycles Spares Shop, on November 21.

"He was arrested on November 21 on charges of unlawful entry and it was during interrogations that he was identified as the same fugitive who had escaped from Chikurubi after attacking a prison guard with a pick in the head," said Asst Insp Chananda.

He added that after knocking the prison officer unconscious and stripped him of his uniform, Mutambarika masqueraded as a guard and marched through the prison gates with his partner in crime Tshuma – all the way to illegal freedom.

Asst Insp Chananda said Mutambarika relocated to Mutare after the escape, where he embarked on an unlawful entry spree.

His arrest will help police clear several cases of unlawful entries recorded around Mutare's CBD area.

Asst Insp Chananda said Mutambarika together with Pfungwa Roderick Muroworwa (26), Nomore Sauramba and Tapiwa Mutetwa pounced at Quick Technologies and Bicycles Spares Shop after persuading Joseph Marambanyika (40), who was guarding the adjacent Makombe Shop not to disturb them.

"Marambanyika agreed to the plan on condition that he would get part of the loot. Mutambarika broke the padlock using an iron bar and while inside, they looted an assortment of cellphones, accessories, portable radios and DVD players. They gave Marambanyika three portable radios as his share," said Asst Insp Chananda.

Mutambarika and crew were, however, spotted by a police informant with the loot and alarm was raised promptly.

"Police swiftly reacted to the information, leading to the arrest of Mutambarika while his three accomplices escaped. Eight cellphones, one Omega radio, 25 cellphone chargers, two modulators and a DVD player were recovered from him," said Asst Insp Chananda. He said during interrogations, Mutambarika implicated Marambanyika, who was arrested at his workstation at Makombe Shop and three portable radios were recovered from him. Further investigations led to the arrest of Muroworwa, in whose possession four handsets were recovered.

"Further investigations established that during the period from October 24 to November 21, Mutambarika and crew committed a spate of unlawful entries around the Mutare CBD targeting cellphones and laptops. It was also established that in October Mutambarika and an accomplice had escaped from lawful custody," said Asst Insp Chananda.

Sauramba and Mutetwa are still at large.