A senior prison officer stationed at Khami Maximum Prison Complex in court facing serious legal trouble after allegedly orchestrating the release of an inmate serving a lengthy 62-year sentence for multiple armed robbery convictions. The case has drawn attention to alleged corruption within the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), raising concerns over the integrity of the nation’s correctional system.
Chamunorwa Matshalaga, a Principal Correctional Officer with the ZPCS, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Mark Dzira on Friday, charged with criminal abuse of office. Matshalaga is accused of using his position to facilitate the unlawful release of an inmate, a serious offence under Zimbabwean law that carries significant legal consequences.
During the hearing, Matshalaga applied for bail, assuring the court that he did not pose a flight risk and would not interfere with any State witnesses. He further promised to reside at the address he had provided to the court as a condition for release. However, the State opposed his bail application, citing the severity of the offence and the potential for witness tampering. Magistrate Dzira remanded Matshalaga in custody until 2 October, pending further proceedings.
Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga emphasized that criminal abuse of office is a grave form of corruption that undermines the nation’s governance and public confidence. “Unlawfully releasing an inmate from custody is a serious violation of the law and erodes public trust in the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service,” Mhlanga told the court. She further argued that, given the seriousness of the charge, there was a real possibility that Matshalaga could interfere with witnesses or abscond if granted bail.
Senior prison officer in court over alleged unlawful release of armed robber
Court documents indicate that the alleged offence occurred sometime in 2024, though the exact date remains unspecified. Matshalaga, whose duties included managing inmate records and administrative responsibilities, is accused of conspiring with accomplices — who have yet to be apprehended — to facilitate the release of Charles Nyarondo, an inmate serving 62 years for six counts of armed robbery committed between 2023 and 2024.
The court heard that Matshalaga and his co-accused were involved in the amnesty selection panel responsible for compiling a list of prisoners eligible for release under the Proposed General Amnesty 2024: Clemency Order No. 1 of 2024. This list was intended to inform a Presidential Clemency Order that would grant early release to qualifying inmates.
According to the prosecution, Nyarondo was wrongfully included on the amnesty list despite being ineligible under the law. Matshalaga and his alleged accomplices reportedly manipulated his classification, categorizing him under the “aged 60” provision to justify his release. This action directly contravened paragraph six of Clemency Order No. 1 of 2024, as published in Government Gazette Vol. CII No. 32.
The Gazette specifically excludes inmates convicted under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] from release based on age. Nyarondo’s convictions for armed robbery clearly fell within this exclusion, making his release unlawful. The alleged manipulation of official records and administrative processes highlights systemic vulnerabilities within the prison system and raises questions about the oversight of the amnesty process.
The case has sparked public debate about accountability in Zimbabwe’s correctional services, particularly regarding the potential for abuse by officials entrusted with managing inmate welfare and release. Experts argue that such incidents, if proven, erode citizens’ trust in the justice system and threaten the rule of law.
Legal analysts note that criminal abuse of office in cases involving correctional services is particularly serious because it directly affects public safety. By allegedly facilitating Nyarondo’s release, Matshalaga is accused of endangering society and compromising the credibility of the ZPCS.
As the matter proceeds, attention will focus on whether additional accomplices will be arrested and how the ZPCS will address internal controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Matshalaga remains in custody, facing a charge that could carry severe penalties if he is convicted. The next court hearing on 2 October will determine the direction of the case and whether further investigative actions will be taken.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability in Zimbabwe’s correctional system. The alleged unlawful release underscores the potential consequences when procedural safeguards are bypassed, and the public, legal authorities, and prison service stakeholders will be watching closely as the case unfolds.
Source- Herald
