By Tendai Rupapa
The case of a foiled jailbreak in 2015 involving jailed RMG Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura and eight other inmates is almost concluding, with the prosecution on Tuesday finally closing its case.
The State closed its case after calling 10 witnesses who testified against the gang.
Gumbura is jointly charged with Blessing Chauke (29), Lucky Mhungu (42), Taurai Dodzo (51), Thomas Chacha (41), Thulani Chizema (36), Jacob Sibanda (32), Elijah Vhumbunu (42) and Lucky Matambanadzo (43).
They are facing several charges, including attempting to escape from prison. They initially appeared in court on March 30, 2015.
During trial, they took turns to make a cocktail of applications which mainly caused delays in the progression of the case.
Law officer Mr Michael Reza called the last witness, George Dhenya, a retired ZPCS Senior Assistant Commissioner.
He narrated to the court how he rushed to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after he had been informed that there were skirmishes.
Mr Dhenya told the court that he mobilised other prison officers and went to D hall to quell the violent protests.
He said when they entered the hall, inmates stoned them with bricks, adding that one of them struck him with an iron bar on the leg and he sustained serious injuries.
After the close of the State case, prisoners’ lawyers Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Mr Tapson Dzvetero notified the State of their intention to apply for discharge.
They will file their written application on March 12 and the State will respond on March 22.
Magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo is expected to deliver his ruling on April 1.
The nine are accused of masterminding a foiled jailbreak at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in 2015.
They are facing charges of attempting to escape from lawful custody, incitement in aggravating circumstances or alternatively conspiracy in aggravating circumstances for malicious damage to property.
It is alleged that during the morning of February 13, 2015 in B Hall, Gumbura allegedly incited other inmates to protest over the type of food they were being served.
Chauke, Matambanadzo, Mhungu, Dodzo, Chacha, Sibanda, Vhumbunu, Chizema and three other inmates who are now deceased, allegedly also influenced inmates to reject the porridge they were served, which had no sugar, to aid their escape.
This resulted in prisoners vandalising property whose value was estimated at $500 000. The Herald