Man serving life sentence escapes Mutimurefu Prison

Tafadzwa Janyure Zimirenyika and James Masunda wanted after escaping Mutimurefu Prison

By Southerton Business Times | Masvingo, Zimbabwe

POLICE have launched a manhunt for two prisoners who escaped from Mutimurefu Prison in Masvingo, with authorities warning members of the public to exercise extreme caution when approaching the fugitives. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) identified the escapees as Tafadzwa Janyure Zimirenyika, 27, and James Masunda, 34, who reportedly escaped from the correctional facility on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

The ZRP is appealing to members of the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the two men.

“Anyone with information about their whereabouts is urged to report to the nearest police station,” the police said in an appeal.

Members of the public can also contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or send information via WhatsApp to 0712 800 107.

Janyure is reportedly serving a life sentence following his conviction on serious criminal charges, including murder, while he is also facing other matters before the courts. Earlier police investigations linked Janyure to 203 alleged criminal cases across Masvingo Province, including robbery, kidnapping, rape, theft of motor vehicles and malicious damage to property. Police previously said the alleged offences occurred in areas including Mwenezi, Ngundu, Renco, Muchakata and Zaka.

Janyure was arrested in June 2025 following investigations into the cases. At the time, police also linked him to a murder case involving Jacob Museva, who was allegedly fatally struck with a mattock at Lundi Business Centre in Mwenezi after attempting to intervene during a robbery. The earlier reports described Janyure as being 29 at the time of his arrest, while the latest ZRP appeal identifies him as 27.

Masunda, 34, also escaped from Mutimurefu Prison, according to the police appeal. Information supplied to Southerton Business Times indicates that the two prisoners had attended court proceedings in Masvingo before the escape. Janyure was reportedly facing another robbery matter, while Masunda was allegedly attending court in connection with a separate case in which he was a witness.

The circumstances surrounding how the two men breached prison security had not been fully disclosed by authorities at the time of publication. Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi reportedly confirmed that an escape had occurred at Mutimurefu Prison but said she was awaiting full details.

Police warn public

Police have urged anyone who sees either of the fugitives not to attempt to apprehend them.

Authorities are instead asking members of the public to immediately report sightings or information about their whereabouts to the nearest police station. The escape has triggered a manhunt for the two Mutimurefu Prison fugitives as police and correctional authorities work to establish how they breached security at the facility. Further details about the escape, including the circumstances surrounding the security breach and the exact time the two prisoners fled, were not immediately available.

Southerton Business Times will update this story as police release further information. Anyone with information about Tafadzwa Janyure Zimirenyika or James Masunda should contact the nearest police station, the ZRP National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, or WhatsApp 0712 800 107.

Mutimurefu Prison escape