Police caught an armed robbery suspect Monday after he escaped from court last Friday. Luke Zinyengere, 29, shot at prison guards and stole a car during his breakout. They found him in Harare and added new charges - illegal gun possession, escaping custody, and carjacking a Mazda Demio outside the courthouse.
His capture happened right after authorities charged prison officer Donald Madzinga, 39, with helping two inmates flee. The second prisoner, Richard Marondera, barely made it past the courtroom before guards grabbed him. Both men face trial for armed robberies, including a February 2024 heist at Quest Financial Services, where they allegedly grabbed $720,000.
Court records show that Madzinga took $700 to assist with the escape plan. A relative of Zinyengere gave Madzinga a revolver, which he passed to the prisoners. They hid the weapon in their cell until court day. The corrupt guard even lets them use his phone to coordinate everything.
The pair smuggled the gun inside their pants when they went to court on March 21, 2025. After their hearing was finished, they ran from guards who tried to load them into a prison truck. Zinyengere fired shots to scatter the officers before stealing a vehicle and speeding away. Madzinga heads back to court on Tuesday for his bail hearing with Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
His capture happened right after authorities charged prison officer Donald Madzinga, 39, with helping two inmates flee. The second prisoner, Richard Marondera, barely made it past the courtroom before guards grabbed him. Both men face trial for armed robberies, including a February 2024 heist at Quest Financial Services, where they allegedly grabbed $720,000.
Court records show that Madzinga took $700 to assist with the escape plan. A relative of Zinyengere gave Madzinga a revolver, which he passed to the prisoners. They hid the weapon in their cell until court day. The corrupt guard even lets them use his phone to coordinate everything.
The pair smuggled the gun inside their pants when they went to court on March 21, 2025. After their hearing was finished, they ran from guards who tried to load them into a prison truck. Zinyengere fired shots to scatter the officers before stealing a vehicle and speeding away. Madzinga heads back to court on Tuesday for his bail hearing with Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
