HARARE – Police on Monday re-arrested an armed robbery suspect who made a dramatic escape from court last Friday after a prison officer allegedly gave him a gun which he used to shoot at prison officers as he made his escape.
Luke Zinyengere, 29, was re-arrested in Harare, according to law enforcement sources.
On top of the robbery charge he now faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm, unlawful escape from custody and carjacking after he drove off in a Mazda Demio outside the Harare Magistrates Court.
Zinyengere’s re-arrest came as prison officer Donald Madzinga, 39, was arraigned in court accused of facilitating the escape of two prisoners. The second inmate, Richard Marondera, did not make it too far after he was re-arrested within the court precinct.
Zinyengere and Marondera are on trial for two armed robbery cases including a raid at Quest Financial Services in Harare in February last year in which they netted US$720,000.
The court heard Madzinga was given a revolver by a relative of Zinyengere to aid his escape.
“Contrary to his duties, Madzinga conspired with the said inmates and agreed that they bring in a revolver to facilitate their escape and charged them US$700,” said prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti.
One Tinotenda Zinyengere delivered the revolver to Madzinga and Marondera who kept it in their cell.
Madzinga, the court heard, further used his phone to facilitate communication between Tinotenda and the two prisoners on the modalities of their plan.
Said Mutsokoti: “On March 21, 2025, when both inmates were to appear in court 12 at the Harare Magistrates Court, as per their plan, they took with them the firearm after concealing it in their pants.
“At the close of business at court, the inmates as per plan escaped from lawful custody whilst being escorted into a prison truck which was to take them back to Harare Remand Prison.”
Zinyengere used the firearm to send prison officers scattering before an exchange of fire as he made good his escape by hijacking a vehicle.
Madzinga will return to court on Tuesday for a bail hearing before magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
