A judge sent prison escapee Luke Zinyengere away for 22 years after he broke out of custody using weapons and stole a car at Harare Magistrates Court. Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi said his crimes deserved the maximum penalty even though he was a first-time offender. She called his escape a "movie-style" breakout that scared court workers and visitors. She stressed that running from legal custody is serious business.
The court sentenced Zinyengere to 10 years for escaping and 12 years for robbery, with sentences running back-to-back. Rwodzi said his actions showed he didn't want help to change his ways, making a tough sentence necessary to warn others. Zinyengere tried to defend himself by claiming he escaped to check on business matters in Mozambique, where he had delivered phones. He admitted planning to use the stolen vehicle for his getaway.
Prosecutor Loveti Muringwa argued that Zinyengere put public safety at risk during his escape. The gun used during the crime has not been found. Another man involved in the escape, Tafadzwa Richard Marondera, received a 10-year prison term for helping Zinyengere break free from custody.
The court sentenced Zinyengere to 10 years for escaping and 12 years for robbery, with sentences running back-to-back. Rwodzi said his actions showed he didn't want help to change his ways, making a tough sentence necessary to warn others. Zinyengere tried to defend himself by claiming he escaped to check on business matters in Mozambique, where he had delivered phones. He admitted planning to use the stolen vehicle for his getaway.
Prosecutor Loveti Muringwa argued that Zinyengere put public safety at risk during his escape. The gun used during the crime has not been found. Another man involved in the escape, Tafadzwa Richard Marondera, received a 10-year prison term for helping Zinyengere break free from custody.
