Manhunt underway for Plumtree prison escapee

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has launched an intensive manhunt for fugitive convict Mike Mathe, who escaped from Plumtree Prison under circumstances that remain under investigation. Authorities suspect the breakout may have involved inside assistance.

Reports indicate that Mathe fled in the early hours of Saturday after allegedly cutting through the prison's burglar bars with a hacksaw blade. Following the escape, security teams were immediately deployed to track his movements and prevent further risks to the public.

ZPCS spokesperson Chief Superintendent Meya Khanyezi reassured citizens that investigations are ongoing. "The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that an inmate unlawfully escaped from Plumtree Prison. Investigations into this incident are currently underway, and we are working diligently to apprehend the escaped inmate and prevent any further occurrences," she said.

She emphasised that the service remains committed to its mandate of ensuring public safety and upholding the highest standards of professionalism, adding that operational procedures are being reviewed to prevent future incidents.

Chief Superintendent Khanyezi called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to Mathe's recapture, warning them not to approach the fugitive. "The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of all citizens," she said.

Local residents, particularly those near transit routes in Plumtree, have been urged to exercise caution while assisting authorities in the search for the escaped inmate.