By Staff Reporter
HARARE – A convicted rapist and robber on Tuesday attempted a daring escape while being taken to court on fresh charges, stabbing a prison officer and briefly disguising himself in the officer’s uniform before being swiftly recaptured.
Itai Madhongo, 33, allegedly attacked the officer, stripped him of his uniform, and handcuffed him to a metal bar inside the court building.
However, the escape bid was short-lived.
Madhongo was recaptured moments later while hiding behind wooden panels next to a corridor leading to magistrates’ offices, court officials said.
“He had a bunch of keys on him. We suspect he took them from the prison officer,” a prosecutor told local media.
Madhongo, of Churu Farm in Glen View, is serving a 45-year prison sentence following his conviction for a string of rapes and house robberies.
His brother, Simon Madhongo, 37, was also jailed for his role in the crime spree.
The alarm was raised shortly after midday, prompting authorities to shut down the court building.
Reinforcements of prison officers, including one with a sniffer dog, were seen rushing into the court building a short while later.
