By a Correspondent
One of the two inmates who escaped from Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo last week has been arrested, with police using his wife to lure him into a trap.
James Masunda (pictured) was arrested on Friday in the Renco area of rural Masvingo, a week after he and fellow inmate Tafadzwa Zimirenyika Janyure broke out of Mutimurefu Prison on August 7.
It is understood that police officers tracked Masunda to the area and used his wife to lure him from hiding. His wife had reportedly prepared tea for him before officers moved in to make the arrest.
Masunda was shot during the operation and is now receiving treatment at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, where he is being held under police guard.
His arrest is expected to provide investigators with information that could assist in the ongoing search for Janyure, who remains at large.
Janyure, who was serving a life sentence plus 70 years for murder, rape and other violent crimes, is regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s most notorious prisoners. Masunda was serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The two inmates escaped from Mutimurefu Prison on Friday, August 7, triggering a major manhunt across Masvingo Province.
Police have continued to appeal to members of the public to provide information that could lead to Janyure’s arrest, while warning people against harbouring or assisting the fugitive.
Janyure had previously been linked by police to more than 200 criminal cases in Masvingo Province, including murder, robbery, kidnapping, rape, theft of motor vehicles and malicious damage to property.
The latest arrest brings renewed focus to security at the prison and the circumstances surrounding the escape of the two inmates.
