The Sunday News
A 29-YEAR-OLD man, who was disgruntled over the amount of food he was getting in jail tried to flee from prison, a court heard.
Nyoni will spend the next year in jail for fleeing prison guards while at the Plumtree District Hospital where he was receiving medical attention.
Nyoni tricked two prison officers who were accompanying him to seek medical attention at the hospital into believing that he wanted to use the toilet.
One of the officers loosened his handcuffs. Instead of proceeding to the toilet Nyoni ran away forcing the two prison officers to pursue him.
He was being escorted by prison officers identified as Wisdom Chivasa and Mangena who are both stationed in Plumtree.
Nyoni told Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa that he fled from the prison officers as he was fed up of prison life.
“I am afraid of jail your Worship. I have only been there for a few weeks and I cannot stand it anymore. My health condition is even deteriorating because of the living conditions I am exposed to. I would rather be at my home and not here and that is the reason why I ran away. I am being treated harshly and the food portion is small,’’ said Nyoni, as he begged for the court’s leniency.
He was being held in custody at Plumtree Prison awaiting trial for stock theft.
Prosecuting, Ms Jane Phiri said Nyoni requested to go to hospital on 28 July.
“At around 10am Nyoni, who was in custody at Plumtree Prison awaiting trial at the Plumtree magistrate’s court, complained of being ill. He was escorted by two prison officers to the Plumtree District Hospital.
“While they were waiting for him to be attended to Nyoni requested to go to the toilet and he sneaked away from the two officers,’’ she said.
They noticed that the prisoner had escaped and they caught up with him and put him in custody.
Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa sentenced Nyoni to 12 months imprisonment.
Meanwhile, a rowdy prison officer, Mr Charles Gobvu, snatched this reporter’s camera in a bid to stop her from taking Nyoni’s picture.
“I will not allow you to take a picture of this prisoner because this incident will portray us prison officers in a bad light. To make matters worse this picture will also include us since we are escorting the prisoner,” said Gobvu while holding onto the camera.
Nyoni walked out of court under strict supervision.
He had swollen legs which he is suspected to have sustained after getting beaten up by prison officers for escaping.
