An inmate serving a decades-long sentence for violent crimes was recaptured after attempting to escape from Harare Magistrates Court in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, during which he stabbed a correctional officer and stole his uniform in an effort to leave the building unnoticed.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) identified the inmate as 33-year-old Itai Madhongo, who had been brought to court for a separate legal proceeding. “The inmate assaulted a ZPCS officer who had entered the cell to escort the inmate to court, inflicting injuries to the face and neck with a sharp object,” said Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi, the ZPCS National Public Relations Officer. The injured officer was taken to a medical facility and is in stable condition.
Authorities said Madhongo then stripped the injured officer, put on his uniform, and attempted to impersonate prison personnel to escape. The incident prompted an immediate security response. “Thanks to the swift and coordinated response of our dedicated ZPCS SWAT team, canine section, and other correctional officers on duty at the court, the inmate was quickly apprehended after he was found hiding under sewer drain pipes at the Harare Magistrates Court,” Khanyezi stated.
A court official told ZimLive that Madhongo was also discovered “hiding behind wooden panels next to a corridor leading to magistrates’ offices,” and that he had a bunch of keys on him, suspected to have been taken from the prison officer.
Madhongo, from Churu Farm in Glen View, is serving between 38 and 45 years for unlawful entry, r@pe, and armed robbery. His court appearance on Tuesday was linked to a new r@pe allegation. His brother, Simon Madhongo, was previously jailed in connection with the same criminal activities.
The escape attempt caused significant disruption at the courthouse, leading to a lockdown and an intensive search involving sniffer dogs and armed officers. The ZPCS condemned the attack and escape attempt, vowing to maintain strict security measures in future operations.
