Prison officer attempts to shoot workmates with an AK47

A prison officer, Proud Chigodho (25)  who intended to shoot his workmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare after robbing one of them of an AK47 rifle has been jailed for three years.

Chigodho appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo charged with robbery.

He pleaded guilty to the charges.

Chigodho was sentenced to four years in jail, but a year of the sentence was cut on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

"The courts try not to send first offenders to prison, but you committed a serious offence and a custodial sentence is therefore appropriate in this matter," he said.

The court heard on September 29 this year at around 8pm, Clifford Mujena was on duty at Chikurubi Maximum Prison and armed with an AK 47 rifle.

At around 9:30pm Chigodho, who was off duty, passed through the guard point where Mujena was manning the canteen. He jumped on Mujena's back and grabbed his rifle.

He escaped with the gun and proceeded to the canteen where other prison officers were drinking beer.

He tried to shoot several times, but the gun had no magazine.