An inmate who escaped from Mutimurefu Prison in March has been re-arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in connection with a car theft case.
Fidelis Jorum Mauyangwe (35), also known as Felicino Simango, escaped custody along with several other inmates after hijacking a prison vehicle, which was later abandoned following an accident.
ZRP Masvingo Province spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed Mauyangwe’s arrest to TellZim News, along with the arrest of his alleged accomplices—Bravery Matombi (27) and Admire Shumba (37), also known as Magazini. He said:
I confirm the arrest of Simango, a former inmate, and his accomplices Matombi and Shumba also known as Magazini on May 10 after stealing a car belonging to Munyaradzi Fatini in Chiredzi.
We applaud the members of the public for continuously supplying information which leads to the arrest of criminals especially those who would have escaped from prison.
Rather than keeping a low profile, Mauyangwe resumed his criminal activities, and his freedom was short-lived.
He was nabbed by police in Village 7, Mkwasine, where he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle — a Nissan Vanette valued at $6,000.
The vehicle had been reported stolen on 7 May from Chiredzi, just two months after Mauyangwe’s escape from custody.
At the time of his escape, Mauyangwe was serving a three-year sentence for the theft of a motor vehicle, with an expected release date of 23 June 2027.
However, he had served only eight months before making a daring escape in March.
His recapture means he now faces additional charges, including escaping from lawful custody, theft, and other related offences.
On 5 March 2025, Mauyangwe had been taken to harvest tomatoes at the Zishumbe resettlement area in Masvingo, from where he escaped along with several other inmates.
During their getaway, they hijacked a prison vehicle, a white Nissan Navara, which they were later forced to abandon following a crash.
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