‘Prison officer assists convict to escape’

A prison officer at Bulawayo Prison Camp allegedly assisted a remand prisoner to escape from the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court after he gave him civilian clothes in return for the settlement of a $120 debt he reportedly owed the suspect.

Thulani Mhlanga, whose rank was not given, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tawanda Muchemwa yesterday facing charges of contravening Section 185 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which forbids prison officers from assisting prisoners escape from lawful custody.

He was remanded out of custody to November 9 on $20 bail.

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