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Dikito, who is currently serving 22 years in jail for robbing four supermarkets in Harare, admitted to the fresh charges. Harare magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo sentenced Dikito to two years imprisonment for trying to escape from lawful custody at Harare Central Prison.

The court, however, suspended one year on condition of good behaviour. The remaining year will, however, run concurrently with the 22 years he is already serving. Dikito committed the robberies while he was on attachment with the National Constitutional Assembly.

When he committed the robberies, Dikito was a final year Masters in Peace, Leadership and Good Governance student and was on internship at the NCA Offices in Harare. Dikito told the court that he committed the offence because he was under depression.

“I had been affected by my trial, which was dragging. I had anticipated to continue with my studies where I left and to continue my attachment at NCA.
“It appeared as if what I had anticipated had failed so it affected me. I also heard that the presiding magistrate had resigned hence thought I would get a fresh trial,” he said. Dikito is currently in custody at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. The agreed facts are that Dikito was in remand facing three counts of armed robbery, one count attempted armed robbery and a count of contravening the firearms act.

On October 19 last year he was remanded in custody and then taken to Harare Remand Prison where he was placed in the D section, which houses inmates considered dangerous. The following day Dikito was taken from Harare Central Prison to Rotten Row Court for his routine remand before being returned on the same day at around 6.35pm.

Upon his return to the prison he was handed over to Principal Prison Officer Nyanzuda who was in charge of the D class section. During feeding time at 6.35pm Dikito pretended as if he was going to wash hands at the provided washing basins.

He then jumped over a wall that demarcates the D and C class section area where he was arrested while hiding in a toilet. He was handed to Senior Prison officer Mungane and admitted to attempting to escape from lawful custody.