Police are hunting for an inmate who has escaped from Mzuzu Prison while receiving treatment at Mzuzu Central Hospital.

Mzuzu Prison Officer in Charge Senior Superintendent Hellings Nyalubwe confirmed of the development in an interview with the state controlled radio (MBC 1) and identified the escapee as Steven Ng’ambi.

Nyalubwe said the escapee was a 7 year jail sentence for burglary and theft.

“I can confirm the incident, it happened between 5 to 6 pm on Tuesday when the escapee together with his colleague who fell sick and taken to Mzuzu Central Hospital for treatment.

“While at the hospital the said person sought for help to answer to the call of nature and since the nurse and the Prison Officer on guard were busy the escapee never returned,” Nyalubwe was quoted as saying.

The Officers says that they tried to search for him but he was no where to be seen.

Ng’ambi hails from Kafulu Village, Traditional Mwakawoko in Karonga district.