Harare Bureau
Jailed RMG Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura, masterminded a foiled escape bid by prisoners at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, leading to the death of five inmates who were shot after ignoring warning shots by security details, Vice President Mnangagwa said yesterday. Responding to a barrage of questions from legislators in the National Assembly, VP Mnangagwa said the inmates, most of them dangerous, initially thought that prison warders and other security details were not armed and proceeded to climb into the ceiling in a bid to escape.
When reinforcements fired warning shots, he said, the inmates thought the guns had no bullets resulting in shots being directed at them to stop the escape.
“They conspired to break away from prison. A group of a hundred were involved in this conspiracy, surprisingly also, Gumbura was chairing that conspiracy. They went into the kitchen and caused damage, breaking pipes, attacked prison warders and eight of them were injured. While that was happening the core group was climbing into the ceiling trying to escape. When reinforcement came they thought they had no bullets and attacked the officers,” said VP Mnangagwa.
“They (security teams) then fired into the air but they (inmates) said there was nothing in the guns. They then fired straight at them, that was when they retreated and order was restored. We’ve now enhanced security.”
Harare West MP Jessie Majome (MDC-T) asked why VP Mnangagwa’s version was different from spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services, Elizabeth Banda-Karinda’s, who was quoted in the media saying inmates died during an ensuing stampede.
“It’s true that I read what you said. But I’m giving you a report I got. I’ve no doubt that the report is authentic and a formal report. I believe that what I said represents what happened,” said VP Mnangagwa.
On relish, he said the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority had since given prison authorities cooking oil confiscated at border posts for violating entry requirements to feed the inmates.
VP Mnangagwa said while most prisons had farms, their challenge was gettting farming inputs.
Responding to another question, VP Mnangagwa said VP Phelekezela Mphoko was set to occupy a government house once refurbishment was completed.
He said VP Mphoko could not occupy a government property being used by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai because it was not earmarked for him.
Makonde MP Cde Kindness Paradza (Zanu-PF) had asked what government policy was regarding continued occupation of State residences by those who were no longer working for the government and gave an example of MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
Cde Paradza said VP Mphoko was staying in hotels, yet Tsvangirai continued occupying a government property that could be utilised by those serving the government.
In another development, Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Jacob Mudenda dismissed a request by Mutare Central MP, Innocent Gonese, to have the House consider representations made by civil society about the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Debt Assumption Bill.
The dismissal means that the Bill will now proceed to committee stage, after it had been stalled after its second reading.
In dismissing the request, Cde Mudenda said Parliament had made adequate consultations during public hearings conducted by the portfolio committee on Budget and Finance, which convened meetings in several parts of the country.
Gonese and Mabvuku-Tafara MP, James Maridadi, had said Parliament should first consider representations by civil society.
Cde Mudenda also dismissed a point of Order by Harare Central MP Murisi Zwizwai, who queried why VP Mphoko had not attended Parliament.
He said VP Mphoko was in Lesotho where he was representing President Mugabe and Zimbabwe at the inauguration of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili. Chronicle
Jailed RMG Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura, masterminded a foiled escape bid by prisoners at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, leading to the death of five inmates who were shot after ignoring warning shots by security details, Vice President Mnangagwa said yesterday. Responding to a barrage of questions from legislators in the National Assembly, VP Mnangagwa said the inmates, most of them dangerous, initially thought that prison warders and other security details were not armed and proceeded to climb into the ceiling in a bid to escape.
When reinforcements fired warning shots, he said, the inmates thought the guns had no bullets resulting in shots being directed at them to stop the escape.
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| Gumbura jailbreak mastermind…Rapist pastor planned Chikurubi riots says VP Mnangagwa |
“They (security teams) then fired into the air but they (inmates) said there was nothing in the guns. They then fired straight at them, that was when they retreated and order was restored. We’ve now enhanced security.”
Harare West MP Jessie Majome (MDC-T) asked why VP Mnangagwa’s version was different from spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services, Elizabeth Banda-Karinda’s, who was quoted in the media saying inmates died during an ensuing stampede.
“It’s true that I read what you said. But I’m giving you a report I got. I’ve no doubt that the report is authentic and a formal report. I believe that what I said represents what happened,” said VP Mnangagwa.
On relish, he said the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority had since given prison authorities cooking oil confiscated at border posts for violating entry requirements to feed the inmates.
VP Mnangagwa said while most prisons had farms, their challenge was gettting farming inputs.
Responding to another question, VP Mnangagwa said VP Phelekezela Mphoko was set to occupy a government house once refurbishment was completed.
He said VP Mphoko could not occupy a government property being used by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai because it was not earmarked for him.
Makonde MP Cde Kindness Paradza (Zanu-PF) had asked what government policy was regarding continued occupation of State residences by those who were no longer working for the government and gave an example of MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
Cde Paradza said VP Mphoko was staying in hotels, yet Tsvangirai continued occupying a government property that could be utilised by those serving the government.
In another development, Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Jacob Mudenda dismissed a request by Mutare Central MP, Innocent Gonese, to have the House consider representations made by civil society about the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Debt Assumption Bill.
The dismissal means that the Bill will now proceed to committee stage, after it had been stalled after its second reading.
In dismissing the request, Cde Mudenda said Parliament had made adequate consultations during public hearings conducted by the portfolio committee on Budget and Finance, which convened meetings in several parts of the country.
Gonese and Mabvuku-Tafara MP, James Maridadi, had said Parliament should first consider representations by civil society.
Cde Mudenda also dismissed a point of Order by Harare Central MP Murisi Zwizwai, who queried why VP Mphoko had not attended Parliament.
He said VP Mphoko was in Lesotho where he was representing President Mugabe and Zimbabwe at the inauguration of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili. Chronicle
