Notorious robber arrested

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By GETRUDE GUMEDE

Published: October 26, 2009

ZIMBABWE – MASVINGO – A MASVINGO police crack unit has rearrested a notorious suspected armed robber who last Sunday night escaped from custody while his three heavily-armed prison guards dosed.

Daniel Munyanyi (33) of Nyakunhuwa communal lands in Zaka, escaped from the sleeping prison officers as he received treatment at Masvingo General Hospital for gunshot wounds he had sustained the previous week.

It is believed he used a metal pin from his belt to unchain himself. The suspect was in handcuffs and leg irons.

Munyanyi, together with an accomplice still at large, had allegedly robbed 14 passengers on a commuter omnibus travelling from Harare to Beitbridge of 14 cellphones, over R14 000 and US$1 100 cash at gunpoint two weeks ago.

Masvingo police spokesman Assistant Inspector Tineyi Matake last week confirmed Munyanyi’s escape and rearrest, saying he would appear in court soon.

He will face armed robbery and escape from lawful custody charges.

“We managed to rearrest the suspect after we mopped the city following his escape from hospital where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained when we first arrested him as he tried to flee.

“He is going to appear in court soon facing armed robbery charges and also escaping from police custody.

“At the moment we are still hunting down his accomplice,” he said.

A crack team of police detectives set a trap for Munyanyi and arrested him on Monday afternoon at Sisk Business Centre.

It is understood that Munyanyi took advantage of the three prison officers who went to sleep as they were guarding him at his hospital bed and allegedly used a metal pin from his belt to unchain both his hands and feet.

The prison officers discovered the escape when they woke up and failed to locate the suspect.

He was rearrested about 12 hours after getting away.

He and his accomplice were also travelling in the kombi.

About 5km outside Masvingo, they produced pistols and ordered the driver to stop the vehicle.

They took the valuables and cash from the passengers and fled.-The Zimbabwe Telegraph