ZRP Confirms Arrest Of Mutimurefu Escapee After Armed Robbery Spree

Police have confirmed the arrest of one of two prisoners who escaped from Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo on 8 August 2026.

In a statement on Saturday, 15 August, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said James Masunda, 34, was arrested following a shoot-out on 14 August 2025 at Matsa Village, Renco, Masvingo.

However, his accomplice, Tafadzwa Janyure Zimirenyika, 27, is still at large.

“Reference is made to the ZRP’s message on the X platform regarding Tafadzwa Janyure Zimirenyika and James Masunda’s escape from Mutimurefu Prison, Masvingo on 08/08/26. The ZRP confirms the arrest of James Masunda, following a shoot-out on 14/08/25 at Matsa Village, Renco, Masvingo,” reads the statement.

The ZRP also said investigations established that after escaping from prison, Masunda and Zimirenyika embarked on a series of armed robbery cases targeting members of the public to obtain clothing, food and cash.

“Investigations by the police established that, after escaping from prison, James Masunda and James Zimirenyika embarked on a series of armed robbery cases targeting the public to obtain clothing, food and cash,” police said.

“Police investigations are continuing to account for Tafadzwa Janyure Zimirenyika. Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.”

Reports suggest that the two allegedly broke into a tuckshop in Chief Chikwanda’s area in Zaka, Masvingo Province shortly after their escape, before targeting two homesteads.

Their first victim was Mediline Mudzingwa of Mudare Village. Mudzingwa said she was having dinner with her children and visitors when two men armed with machetes struck.

One, wearing a woollen hat, stood at the kitchen window and ordered everyone to lie down, while his accomplice entered the house.

“He grabbed my phone and demanded US$1,000, which he claimed he knew was kept in the house. He threatened to cut off my hands if I did not surrender the money,” she said.

“I told him he might cut my hands for nothing because I did not have the money and had never handled such a figure in my life.”

The pair took US$20 from her purse, US$173 in total, along with a pair of jeans, a jacket, a jersey, and a satchel. They also took a kitchen knife before ordering the family into the main house and instructing them to lock themselves inside. One of the suspects reportedly returned a smartphone, saying it might have a tracker.

A short while later, at around 8 pm, the duo allegedly stormed the home of Gonovhi Village head Jacob Moyo, a stone’s throw away.

Moyo told Masvingo Mirror he was woken by a bright torch shining through his bedroom window.

“I was already asleep when I was awakened by a large torch shining into my face through the window. When I woke up, I saw one man standing near the door in my bedroom. I am still shocked that they opened the door without me noticing. It showed they used a heavy object since the doors were locked,” he said.

The fugitives, armed with machetes, demanded money and threatened to kill him. When Moyo said he had nothing, they demanded his car keys, which were hanging from a nail on the wall.

They initially failed to start his Toyota Vitz as the battery had been disconnected. After harassing him, Moyo told them to open the bonnet and connect the battery.

“While they were attending to the battery, I managed to escape through the window and shouted out that there were thieves. The suspects quickly drove out of the yard,” he said.

Businesspeople and other motorists gave chase, forcing the suspects to abandon the vehicle near Chikwanda Primary School after about a kilometre, when they saw another car approaching from the direction of Masvingo.