News / National
Phoney prison officer steals keys to Zimbabwe's high security prison
06 Jun 2011 at 13:11hrs | Views
A bogus prison officer stole duplicate keys to cells at Chikurubi Maximum, Harare Central and Remand prisons. The Zimbabwe Prison Service (ZPS) has activated its tracking systems amid fears that the fake officer could free suspects and hard-core criminals from the holding facilities.
Sources revealed last week that the man, only identified as Zvoma, approached the ZPS traditional lock and key supplier on the pretext that the service required fresh stocks.
Posing as the head of the procurement department, he convinced the supplier. It is understood he told company officials that payment would be made at headquarters. On the first occasion, he led the officials to the complex but subsequently made off with the keys after dumping them in one of the offices.
He used the same tactic on his second and third outings after dealing with different members of the firm's staff. On his last adventure, he marched into the ZPS Mashonaland regional office complex clad in service uniform.
He drew salutes from low-ranking officers, as he once again got away with another set of keys. Sources suspect he is a former officer given his intricate knowledge of procedure.
Last week, ZPS authorities paraded male officers from headquarters and the regional office in the hope that the company officials would identify the culprit. The service immediately activated its tracking systems after failing to net him in the parade. ZPS Mashonaland regional spokesperson Principal Prison Officer Solomon Mutamba said they had launched a manhunt for "prison officer" Zvoma.
"Well, we are on high alert at both our offices and jails in Mashonaland since we do not know what he will do with the keys," he said.
"Maybe he has plans to become a supplier of keys or he has other cruel intentions like selling them to other people who can free their colleagues.
"We are working with the police force on the matter."
Security breaches have become a major concern to the ZPS in recent months. Only a month ago, an officer had to be recommended for psychiatric evaluation after he "promoted" himself.
In March, a female prison officer was transferred from Harare Central Prison to Chikurubi Female Prison after she fell in love with an inmate.
Sources revealed last week that the man, only identified as Zvoma, approached the ZPS traditional lock and key supplier on the pretext that the service required fresh stocks.
Posing as the head of the procurement department, he convinced the supplier. It is understood he told company officials that payment would be made at headquarters. On the first occasion, he led the officials to the complex but subsequently made off with the keys after dumping them in one of the offices.
He used the same tactic on his second and third outings after dealing with different members of the firm's staff. On his last adventure, he marched into the ZPS Mashonaland regional office complex clad in service uniform.
He drew salutes from low-ranking officers, as he once again got away with another set of keys. Sources suspect he is a former officer given his intricate knowledge of procedure.
"Well, we are on high alert at both our offices and jails in Mashonaland since we do not know what he will do with the keys," he said.
"Maybe he has plans to become a supplier of keys or he has other cruel intentions like selling them to other people who can free their colleagues.
"We are working with the police force on the matter."
Security breaches have become a major concern to the ZPS in recent months. Only a month ago, an officer had to be recommended for psychiatric evaluation after he "promoted" himself.
In March, a female prison officer was transferred from Harare Central Prison to Chikurubi Female Prison after she fell in love with an inmate.
Source - TNZ
