Deported convicts from South Africa unleash terror in Harare quarantine centers.
Convicts Fanuel Mapaiki, Allen Mungai and Tinotenda Chigwande were arrested for theft and unlawful entry, while Garikai Tawanda was arrested for attempted murder after stabbing another returnee with a pair of scissors.
The group was separated from the rest of deportees quarantined at Harare Polytechnic after causing problems and transferred into isolation at Prince Edward High School.
The four were separated from others at Harare Polytechnic after they started stealing belongings of fellow quarantined returnees.
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare confirmed the case.
“What happened is that they were moved from Harare Polytechnic to Prince Edward High School. We could not risk mixing ex-convicts and those in quarantine voluntarily.
Some of the ex-convicts had been originally arrested in South Africa for rape, murder, robberies and other crimes. They needed to be monitored separately.
But at Prince Edward they allegedly started committing crimes, breaking into the housemaster’s house and stealing valuables from student lockers in the hostels they are housed in. They allegedly tried to steal from the deputy head and from teachers’ cars,” said Chief Director in the Ministry, Mr Clifford Matorera.
He revealed that one of the returnees was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed by a scissors with Garikai Tawanda.
The wounded returnee was taken to hospital for treatment and is back at the quarantine facility where he is recovering.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of three of the returnees facing theft and unlawful entry charges.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) confirms the arrest of Fanuel Mapaiki (22), Allen Mungai (30) and Tinotenda Chigwande (25) on May 15 at Prince Edward Quarantine Centre,” the police said.
The three were charged with unlawful entry, have since appeared in court and were remanded in custody.
A fourth returnee, Garikai Tawanda, is accused of stabbing a fellow returnee Munashe Razawo.
He appeared in court on Saturday facing attempted murder charges and was remanded in custody to May 29.
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Deported convicts from South Africa unleash terror in quarantine centers. Source: Savannanews.com