Nkhata Bay Prison escapee arrested in Karonga

Police in Karonga have re-arrested a prisoner who escaped from lawful custody at Nkhata Bay Prison and was on the run for over a month.

Both Northern Region Malawi Prison Services spokespersonAustin Mwasangwale and Nkhata Bay Police Station spokesperson Kondwani Jamesyesterday confirmed the re-arrest of Gift Phiri, 36, of Kamtepa Village,Traditional Authority (T/A) M’mbelwa in Mzimba.

Mwasangwale said Phiri escaped from custody on November 5 after tricking a prison warder that he wanted to relieve himself.

He said the escapee was identified by an ex-prisoner who alerted prison officials in Karonga.

“The convict is from Mzimba but he ran away to Karonga where he was hiding. He did not go to Mzimba because he feared that he would easily be traced and arrested,” he said.

Mwasangwale said Phiri has since been taken back to Nkhata Bay prison where he will continue to serve a four-year jail term for theft.

James said the convict will answer a new charge of escaping from lawaful custody.