News / Regional
Plumtree fugitive Cabangani 'Predator' Mathe re‑arrested after deportation from Malawi
2 hrs ago |
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Dangerous fugitive Cabangani "Predator" Mathe has been re‑arrested following his deportation from Malawi, bringing an end to his cross‑border escape. Mathe, a 38‑year‑old former businessman from Plumtree, was taken into custody after Malawian authorities found him without identification or travel documents. Verification later confirmed that he was a wanted person in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest, saying Mathe was deported after being found without any form of identification. He was subsequently arrested by CID Homicide detectives and has since appeared in court.
Mathe had been serving a 20‑year prison sentence for violent crimes committed in Plumtree before making a daring escape that left the community shaken.
Residents still recall the day he was initially sentenced, when women gathered outside the courthouse dancing, ululating and shedding tears of relief as he received a lengthy prison term. For many, it symbolised justice finally prevailing through the courage of victims, the diligence of police officers and the resolve of the courts. His escape, however, reignited fear across the community.
For years, Mathe allegedly operated as though untouchable. He was widely feared, reportedly well‑connected and financially influential. Some community members claimed that attempts to report him were met with intimidation, with cases collapsing under pressure as he allegedly boasted that no one could bring him to justice.
Among the serious allegations he faces is a case in which he is accused of raping a woman and transporting her across the border into Botswana, where she was later killed. That matter remains before the courts and has raised concerns about the safety of potential witnesses.
He is also accused of physically assaulting a woman, handcuffing her and submerging her underwater while restraining her. Additional allegations include the sexual exploitation of a minor who worked at one of his shops between June 2024 and March 2025.
With Mathe now back in custody, victims and the wider Plumtree community have expressed relief, hopeful that justice will take its full course and that there will be no further escape.
Zimbabwe Republic Police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest, saying Mathe was deported after being found without any form of identification. He was subsequently arrested by CID Homicide detectives and has since appeared in court.
Mathe had been serving a 20‑year prison sentence for violent crimes committed in Plumtree before making a daring escape that left the community shaken.
Residents still recall the day he was initially sentenced, when women gathered outside the courthouse dancing, ululating and shedding tears of relief as he received a lengthy prison term. For many, it symbolised justice finally prevailing through the courage of victims, the diligence of police officers and the resolve of the courts. His escape, however, reignited fear across the community.
For years, Mathe allegedly operated as though untouchable. He was widely feared, reportedly well‑connected and financially influential. Some community members claimed that attempts to report him were met with intimidation, with cases collapsing under pressure as he allegedly boasted that no one could bring him to justice.
Among the serious allegations he faces is a case in which he is accused of raping a woman and transporting her across the border into Botswana, where she was later killed. That matter remains before the courts and has raised concerns about the safety of potential witnesses.
He is also accused of physically assaulting a woman, handcuffing her and submerging her underwater while restraining her. Additional allegations include the sexual exploitation of a minor who worked at one of his shops between June 2024 and March 2025.
With Mathe now back in custody, victims and the wider Plumtree community have expressed relief, hopeful that justice will take its full course and that there will be no further escape.
Source - Ezra Tshisa
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