A man who broke out of a Harare court with a gun last month will serve 22 years behind bars. Luke Zinyengere faced judgment from regional magistrate Letwin Rwodzi, who said jailbreaks require severe punishment.
Zinyengere fled custody alongside Tafadzwa Marondera, who received a 10-year sentence from magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni. The court gave Zinyengere 10 years for the escape and 12 years for taking a car at gunpoint during his getaway.
Magistrate Rwodzi called it a well-planned crime that frightened many people. She noted the escape scared court workers, members of the public, and the vehicle owner. Zinyengere also faces multiple armed robbery charges separate from this case.
As a first-time offender and family provider, he asked for mercy. When asked about his escape reasons, Zinyengere claimed he needed to check on his phone business in Mozambique. He apologized to his struggling family and to Tinashe Chiyamuro, whose car he stole.
The court decided on harsh punishment, with Rwodzi stating that someone who breaks out of jail shows poor chances for rehabilitation. She emphasized that society needs protection from such actions. Loveit Muringwa represented the state in the case.
Zinyengere fled custody alongside Tafadzwa Marondera, who received a 10-year sentence from magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni. The court gave Zinyengere 10 years for the escape and 12 years for taking a car at gunpoint during his getaway.
Magistrate Rwodzi called it a well-planned crime that frightened many people. She noted the escape scared court workers, members of the public, and the vehicle owner. Zinyengere also faces multiple armed robbery charges separate from this case.
As a first-time offender and family provider, he asked for mercy. When asked about his escape reasons, Zinyengere claimed he needed to check on his phone business in Mozambique. He apologized to his struggling family and to Tinashe Chiyamuro, whose car he stole.
The court decided on harsh punishment, with Rwodzi stating that someone who breaks out of jail shows poor chances for rehabilitation. She emphasized that society needs protection from such actions. Loveit Muringwa represented the state in the case.
