A daring and highly unusual prison escape unfolded on Sunday after an inmate at Harare Central Prison allegedly drove himself out of the heavily guarded facility using a vehicle he had been assigned to repair, prompting a nationwide manhunt and renewed scrutiny of prison security procedures.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) confirmed that inmate Jeffrey Jingura escaped from custody while participating in a vocational rehabilitation programme at the prison’s workshops. The incident, described by officials as serious and unprecedented, has triggered urgent alerts to law enforcement agencies and the general public.
In a public statement issued on Sunday, 21 December 2025, ZPCS disclosed that Jingura exploited his access to a motor vehicle as part of a motor mechanics training initiative meant to equip inmates with practical skills for life after release. Instead, the programme became the unexpected gateway for his escape.
“The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) would like to inform members of the public of an incident involving the escape of inmate Jeffrey Jingura,” the service said in its official Facebook post. “The inmate escaped while in possession of a motor vehicle that he was repairing at the Harare Central Prison Workshops.”
The escape immediately raised alarm within correctional and security circles, given Harare Central Prison’s status as one of the country’s most secure facilities. Authorities did not disclose the exact time of the escape or how long Jingura remained undetected, but sources indicated that the incident was discovered shortly after it occurred.
ZPCS issued a firm warning to the public, urging citizens to remain vigilant and to avoid direct contact with the fugitive if sighted.
“Members of the public are advised to exercise caution and vigilance. Do not approach him if sighted. Instead, please immediately contact the nearest police station or the ZPCS emergency line,” the statement read.
The prison service provided emergency contact numbers — 0242 706501 and 0242 762724 — and appealed for timely information that could assist in locating and apprehending the escaped inmate.
Further details released by ZPCS confirmed that Jingura had been attached to the prison’s workshops under a structured vocational training programme focused on motor mechanics. Such programmes are a cornerstone of the correctional service’s rehabilitation strategy, designed to reduce reoffending by equipping inmates with employable skills.
Daring Escape at Harare Central Prison: Inmate Uses Workshop Vehicle to Break Free
“At the time of the incident, the inmate was attached to the Harare Central Prison Workshops, where he was participating in a motor mechanics programme,” ZPCS said. “This vocational training forms part of the ZPCS’s standard rehabilitation initiatives.”
However, the incident has reignited debate over the balance between rehabilitation and security within correctional institutions. Questions are already being raised about oversight, supervision, and risk assessment for inmates granted access to vehicles and equipment inside prison facilities.
In response to growing public concern, ZPCS sought to reassure the nation that decisive steps were being taken to address the breach. The service confirmed that a full-scale investigation had been launched and that the matter had been formally reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which is now leading the manhunt.
“We wish to assure the nation that investigations are currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident,” ZPCS said. “The matter has been reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for further action.”
Security analysts say the escape represents one of the more audacious prison breakouts in recent years, not because of violence or force, but due to its apparent simplicity. The fact that an inmate was able to leave the premises in an official workshop vehicle has heightened concerns about internal controls and exit procedures at correctional facilities.
ZPCS concluded its public alert with a renewed appeal for cooperation and a commitment to restoring confidence in the system.
“We call on the public to remain vigilant and to report any information that may assist in the recapture of the inmate,” the service said. “Rest assured, we are working tirelessly to resolve this matter and to uphold the safety and security of our communities.”
As the search for Jeffrey Jingura continues across the country, the incident stands as a stark reminder of the challenges facing correctional institutions as they attempt to balance rehabilitation goals with uncompromising security demands.
Source- iHarare
