ROTTEN ROW IN TURMOIL: Inmate who stabbed Prison officer caught hiding at court premises

By Shelton Muchena
The prisoner who tried to escape at the Harare Magistrates Court earlier today after stabbing a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer who was guarding him has been caught hiding at the court premises.
Itai Madhongo stripped the ZPCS officer of his uniform and wore it as he attempted to flee.
He is allegedly serving a lengthy jail term at Chikurubi Maximum Prison after he was convicted of armed robbery and rape.
Madhongo’s escape brought business to a standstill as police officers searched for him.
But what does this attempted escape tell about system?
This terrifying escape exposes a system at breaking point. Court security and prisoner management in Zimbabwe have long suffered from mismanagement, understaffing, and weak oversight. Prison escorts are thin on the ground, protocols are ignored, and officers are expected to perform miracles without adequate training or support. Previous near-misses, including documented escapes at Harare Magistrate’s Court, have shown that these failures are systemic, not accidental.
The public outcry is immediate and justified. How can citizens feel safe when those meant to uphold the law can be overpowered in broad daylight? The fact that an inmate could seize the uniform of a prison officer and walk away undetected lays bare the fragility of the system. It is a failure not only of personnel but of institutional accountability, where procedures are bypassed, supervision is minimal, and consequences are rare.
This incident is more than a headline. It is a stark warning that without comprehensive reform, the safety of both court staff and citizens cannot be guaranteed. From immediate improvements in escort procedures to rigorous officer training and investment in security infrastructure, the failure at Rotten Row must serve as a catalyst for change.
Until decisive action is taken, the fear will linger. Every court appearance, every prisoner transfer, and every escort will carry the weight of Rotten Row’s lesson: in Zimbabwe, chaos can be calculated, security can be breached, and justice can walk away in a stolen uniform.