News / Africa
Zimbabwean re-arrested after escaping from police cells in Botswana
17 May 2012 at 08:37hrs | Views
Botswana Police reportedly arrested one of the two Zimbabwean suspects who escaped from Mogoditshane Police Station last week, the NewsDay reported.
Police said the re-arrested suspect, Tawanda Pangane, is facing a charge of burglary and theft while Lloyd Mwanza, who is on the run, stands accused of rape.
Mogoditshane police deputy station commander Assistant Superintendent Mothusi Merementsi said the two suspects escaped from custody on Wednesday night and Pangane was re-arrested on Sunday.
The Mmegi newspaper yesterday said police were investigating officers who allegedly opened cells on the day the prisoners escaped.
It is alleged that on the day before the escape, the police section leader and an unnamed high-ranking officer clashed over issues to do with prisoners.
The latter insisted the cell be opened to allow the suspects to be given medicine and the prisoners were screaming and banging the gates calling police officers to assist them.
After the argument the police officers reportedly opened the cell.
The two suspects allegedly stormed out of the cell pushing off police officers and one prison officer who tried to stop them.
Mwanza is alleged to have committed the offence some time last year when he allegedly raped and impregnated a 14-year-old girl at Gabane village.
Pangane, on unstated dates this year, also allegedly committed a number of burglaries and thefts in Gaborone, leading to his initial arrest.
Police said the re-arrested suspect, Tawanda Pangane, is facing a charge of burglary and theft while Lloyd Mwanza, who is on the run, stands accused of rape.
Mogoditshane police deputy station commander Assistant Superintendent Mothusi Merementsi said the two suspects escaped from custody on Wednesday night and Pangane was re-arrested on Sunday.
The Mmegi newspaper yesterday said police were investigating officers who allegedly opened cells on the day the prisoners escaped.
It is alleged that on the day before the escape, the police section leader and an unnamed high-ranking officer clashed over issues to do with prisoners.
The latter insisted the cell be opened to allow the suspects to be given medicine and the prisoners were screaming and banging the gates calling police officers to assist them.
After the argument the police officers reportedly opened the cell.
The two suspects allegedly stormed out of the cell pushing off police officers and one prison officer who tried to stop them.
Mwanza is alleged to have committed the offence some time last year when he allegedly raped and impregnated a 14-year-old girl at Gabane village.
Pangane, on unstated dates this year, also allegedly committed a number of burglaries and thefts in Gaborone, leading to his initial arrest.
Source - NewsDay
