Prison officer's wives jibe blamed for failed jailbreak

A prison officer who mocked inmates at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison saying his colleagues were having quality time frying sausages with the prisoners' wives while they rotted in prison triggered the failed jailbreak early this year.

This came out at the start of the trial of the nine inmates last Thursday accused of masterminding the foiled jailbreak. One of the accused, Blessing Chauke (25), said they were incensed by the prison officer's remarks and could not stomach that their wives were having sexual relations with the officers.

Chauke is jointly charged with convicted RMG Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura, armed robber Lucky Matambanadzo (39), Lucky Mhungu (38), Taurai Dodzo (47), Thomas Chacha (37), Thulani Chizema (32), Jacob Sibanda (28) and Elijah Vhumbunu (38).

"On February 14, a prison officer guarding inmates mocked us saying he and his colleagues were having a nice time with our wives while we languish in prison," he said.

Chauke said the riot was also exacerbated by inedible sadza which came with expired Royco Usavi Mix and that the prisoners' food was below the dietary scale.

"We rarely eat a balanced diet," he said. "Royco is a relish mix not a water mix and only pigs cannot tell the difference. They also supplied expired anti-retroviral drugs and a number of inmates unfairly lost their lives.

"Inmates requested to see the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs or parliamentarians. We were told that the minister had better business to attend to and parliamentarians have no time to come and attend to us."

Chauke said weeks later, prisons Deputy Commissioner General Agrey Huggins Machingauta told them that they were right to protest against unpalatable food because the only human right ZPCS could withhold was their liberty.

"The living conditions worsened at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison and inmates resolved to approach the officer-in-charge," Chauke said. "When we went to see the officer-in-charge no one talked about escaping, burning blankets, assaulting officers or causing havoc. What we all wanted was just food. We agreed to collectively deny eating anything unpalatable served as food."

Deputy officer-in-charge promised that beans would be served that afternoon. We clapped hands and while he was still addressing us, sadza with vegetables was served. He laughed and looked into the sky.

"Immediately noise started in Hall D and the deputy officer-in-charge proceeded there.

"Riot police arrived and we were ordered to remain seated. We heard multiple gun shots and we rushed to peep though windows in Hall D. Suddenly officers started shooting at us. There was a stampede and I hid in the exercise yard." The nine are serving sentences ranging from 12 to 40 years.

They are facing charges of attempting to escape from lawful custody, incitement in aggravating circumstances or alternatively conspiracy in aggravating circumstances for allegedly maliciously damaging property charges.

They are also facing charges of incitement to assault or resist a law officer. Gumbura, who is represented by Mr Tapson Dzvetero, also offered his defence saying he was being prosecuted because he is famous. The nine appeared before magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo, while Mr Michael Reza prosecuted.