In a dramatic turn of events at Victoria Falls magistrate court yesterday afternoon, a  convicted teen escaped from the magistrate court in a movie style.

The publication has learned that, Zinedine Zibusiso Siziba, who recently turned 17, was last Wednesday convicted on his own plea of guilty to the 18 counts when he appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms. Lindiwe Maphosa.

Prior, Zinedine had escaped prison life several times because of his age but he continued committing similar crimes. However, the probation officer recommended that Zinedine be treated as an adult for purposes of sentencing as he had failed to reform. He was convicted of  18 counts of unlawful entry and theft which were in two court records.

The magistrate convicted Zinedine of 10 counts of both unlawful entry and theft. He was sentenced to a total of five years of which two years were suspended on condition of good behavior. While on the other eight counts, he was sentenced to six years, and two years were suspended on similar conditions.

Both sentences will run concurrently which means Zinedine will serve four years in prison.

Yesterday afternoon,  Zinedine was led to court where he was supposed to appear again for 36 other counts of a similar nature of offense when he decided to storm out of the courtroom and escaped outpacing court officials. ZPCS Matabeleland North provincial public relations officer, Principal Correctional Officer Bothwell Bosha confirmed the incident.

“I confirm that he escaped from the courtroom and was later caught by officers. They chased after him as he scaled precast walls and caught him with the help of members of the public.  We commend our officers for being able to catch somebody who just stormed out of the courtroom. It shows they were very alert,” he said.

Efforts to apprehend him had proved fruitless. However, the officers managed to apprehend him with the help of some members of the public who had joined the chase.