Police in Nkhata Bay District re-arrested a 27 year-old man, Moffatt Phiri after he escaped from lawful custody.

Phiri bolted immediately after he was taken to Nkhata Bay Prison to serve a three-year jail term for assaulting his ex-wife.

He was initially arrested for unlawful wounding. He had assaulted his ex-wife, faulting her for abandoning marriage reconciliation talks. However,  they had already divorced through court, three years earlier.

Police said the convict was duly taken to Nkhata Bay Prison. Immediately, after stepping his feet on the gate of the prison entrance, he bolted while in handcuffs.

A manhunt by both prison and police authorities led to the re-arrest of the convict who has been charged with escape from lawful custody.

He will re-appear in court on Monday, November 29, 2021, to answer the current charge.

Phiri comes from Kamoza Village, T/A Mkumbira in the district.