Zimpapers Logo

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A 23-year-old man who escaped from Harare Central Prison cells in 2013 by squeezing himself through an opening and tied blankets to get away through the roo, yesterday appeared in court charged with 19 counts of housebreaking.

Blessing Gwashavanhu, who was in custody for a series of unlawful entry offences, allegedly proceeded to Gweru after escaping and broke into a shop. He allegedly stole clothes, changed and left his remand garb in the shop.

Gwashavanhu yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo facing unlawful entry in aggravated circumstances charges.

He is also facing charges of escaping from lawful custody.

Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira alleged that from September 10 to October 9 this year Gwashavanhu committed 19 counts of unlawful entry in aggravated circumstances in Harare CBD.

It is alleged that Gwashavanhu forced open doors and windows before stealing valuables and cash amounting to $20 786.

Luck ran out of Gwashavanhu when he was captured by the closed circuit television in one of the buildings.

Gwashavanhu’s fingerprints matched those lifted from crime scenes.

Detectives also discovered that the name Wesley Chingara he was using was not his real name.

Gwashavanhu allegedly bought himself a BMW vehicle (registration number ACY 0166) with proceeds of the crime.

To cover his tracks he, however, registered the vehicle in the name of his girlfriend, Violet Madzivire.

He was arrested in Kwekwe while in possession of eight cellphones which were identified by different complainants.

Goods valued at $6 000 were recovered out of $25 000 worth of stolen materials.