He Escaped From ZPCS, Not Police Custody: ZRP Sets The Record Straight On Notorious Convict

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a forceful statement to set the record straight, dismissing widespread allegations that notorious convict Cabangani Mathe escaped from police custody. Authorities confirm the dangerous inmate broke out from Plumtree Prison, a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) facility, sparking fear and a massive manhunt.

In a statement, the police moved swiftly to correct the public narrative, which had placed blame on their force for the security lapse. The ZRP explicitly stated that the escape occurred from a ZPCS institution, not from their watch.

ZRP Clarifies Point Of Escape

The police force took to social media to provide a clear timeline and facts surrounding the escape of the 37-year-old convict. They emphasised the need for accurate reporting from media houses and the public.

The ZRP posted:

“The ZRP dismisses allegations that Cabangani Mathe (37) escaped from police custody on 14/11/25. For the record, the suspect escaped from Plumtree Prison where he was serving a 20 year sentence for rape. He also had pending cases before the courts, including murder and engaging in sexual intercourse with a young person.”

The statement concluded with a direct appeal for responsible communication, stating:

“The ZRP urges media houses and social media users to exercise due diligence and verify facts with the relevant authorities before publishing or sharing information which may mislead the public and create unwarranted speculation.”

A Dangerous Fugitive On The Loose

According to a report from 17 November 2025, Cabangani “Mike” Mathe escaped from the ZPCS’s Plumtree Prison in the early hours of Saturday, 15 November 2025. The report details that Mathe allegedly cut through the window bars of his cell using a hacksaw blade around 2 AM, climbed out, and vanished.

At the time of his escape, Mathe was a convicted criminal serving a substantial sentence under the jurisdiction of the ZPCS. He had been found guilty of rape and sentenced to 20 years in prison on 29 August 2025. Furthermore, he was awaiting trial for several other serious charges, including murder and sodomy. His escape from the ZPCS facility has instilled significant fear in residents of Plumtree, Bulilima, and Mangwe, who have long considered him a dangerous and ruthless figure.

A History Of Alleged Violence And Intimidation

Prior to his conviction, Mathe was reportedly a feared presence in Plumtree. He was described as operating like a local kingpin, running businesses and flaunting his wealth. It was alleged that he terrorised women with impunity, boasting that the police could never arrest him. Many victims were said to be too frightened to speak out, and some cases against him reportedly collapsed under mysterious circumstances.

His eventual conviction stemmed from a brutal attack on a female employee in October 2024. Court documents from that case, as reported, alleged that Mathe forced the woman into his car, drove her to a remote location, and ordered her into an icy water tank. The documents further stated:

“When she pleaded for mercy, he allegedly submerged her head repeatedly in water until she lost consciousness. He then reportedly drove her home, forced her to change clothes, and later raped her before ordering her to return to work the next morning.”

He also faced other grave allegations, including a case where a woman in protective custody was allegedly handed over to him by a police officer. That woman was later said to have been smuggled to Botswana, where she was reportedly murdered.

With Mathe now a fugitive after breaching ZPCS security, the manhunt continues as authorities work to recapture him.