Prison officers allegedly helped serial rapist escape

Two Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services officers have appeared in court on allegations of assisting a suspected habitual rapist and robber, Sam Muropa, to escape from jail. Ngonidzashe Munhuuripi and Simbarashe Machekera appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi, according to The Herald. They were remanded in custody until today for a bail ruling. The court heard that on 1 October, Munhuuripi and Machekera were on duty at Harare Remand Prison where they were approached by the accused. The state alleges that Munhuuripi advised the prisoner that he had come to assist him escape as it was difficult for him to secure his bail. The court heard that the pair hid Muropa in a bathroom in the yards and later took him to the reception were they looked for his clothes on the pretext that he had been granted bail. They allegedly further briefed Muropa on the security set up of the premises and advised him of the route which he would take in order to avoid being spotted by other prison officers. Muropa was re-arrested and appeared in court on Friday on charges of escaping from lawful custody. He was remanded in custody. Muropa first appeared in court on 16 August facing 21 counts of rape and robbery.