At the prison, located 30km from Gweru along the Harare road, inmates are allowed to come and go, and can receive visitors at any time.
Appearing before Magistrate Douglas Chikwekwe on Wednesday last week, prisoner Jacob Mutandavari, faced one count of rape.
According to state allegations against Mutandavari, last month he was sent to a grinding mill by the prison officers and along the way met a woman from the surrounding areas. The prisoner, who was wearing his prison garb and pushing a wheelbarrow, allegedly indicated to the complainant, a 24-year-old woman from Kaguvi Training Centre, that he wanted to ask her something.
He then allegedly grabbed the woman and raped her before disappearing into the nearby bush.
The following day the complainant was taken to Connemara Prison where a total of 20 prisoners were paraded and she managed to identify the Mutandavari as the person who had raped her.
A report was made at Gweru Central Police Station leading to Mutandavaris arrest.
Magistrate Chikwekwe denied Mutandavari bail and the trial kicks off on August 28.
Post published in: World News