Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
AUTHORITIES are conducting contact tracing for a returning Zimbabwean resident who recently escaped from Marymount Teachers’ College quarantine facility and travelled to Harare, before getting caught and testing positive for Covid-19.
Clarkson Muza (34), a Murehwa resident, was hauled before a Mutare magistrate on charges of disobeying on-site detention, isolation or quarantining. He appeared before Ms Tamara Chabiti and was fined $1 500 after pleading guilty to the charges. Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, said Muza was among the three returnees who escaped from Marymount Teachers’ College quarantine facility on May 21.
His accomplices, Noah Mabota and Donald Matakura, provided authorities with false Hobhouse, Mutare addresses when they were placed in quarantine.
The pair is still at large.
As Government put in place measures to stop the spread of Covid-19, Marymount Teachers’ College was among the quarantine centres set up in Manicaland.
The institution received its first batch of returning residents on May 19. Two days later, Muza was coming from Mozambique and claimed to be a truck driver.
He told authorities at Forbes Border Post that his truck had developed a mechanical fault in Mozambique and therefore he had hitch-hiked in another truck. He was subsequently put into quarantine at Marymount Teachers’ College.
“The following day, Muza connived with Mabota and Matakura to escape. Just after dinner at around 6pm, the trio sneaked from the facility using an unlocked small gate and disappeared,” said Inspector Kakohwa.
Their disappearance was only discovered the next day (May 22) when Sergeant Nhamudze teamed up with Mr Tinotenda Bettar, a district social welfare officer, to conduct a physical check on the quarantined people.
Investigations done on-site revealed that the college’s perimeter fence was porous, while the hostels’ windows had no burglar bars.
However, luck ran out for Muza on June 4 when he reported for duty at Silva Rach Logistics in Harare. His boss, Mr Bellmore Mutandwa, was concerned that he had absconded quarantine and handed him over to Rhodesville Police Station in the capital city.
When he was taken to the Harare Magistrates’ Courts, it was determined that the Mutare Courts had jurisdiction over the matter.
As a result, Muza was escorted to Mutare, where he was tried and fined for the offence.
However, Muza’s story took another twist when he tested positive for Covid-19.
Muza has since been referred to his home in Murehwa for self isolation.Covid-19 National Co-ordinator, Dr Agnes Mahomva, said such cases require relevant line ministries to work hand in glove in tracing the contacts of the patient.
“This requires health, social welfare, as well as law and order officials to work together to solve the case and break the chain of infection. The input of security officers who were manning the facility as well as the social welfare officials at the institution is crucial,” said Dr Mahomva.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gibson Mhlanga, echoed the same sentiments.
“Considering the way the returnee escaped and his subsequent arrest in Harare, our health officials in the provinces that the suspect travelled through will liaise and share notes with their colleagues in order to trace his movements and possible contacts,” said Dr Mhlanga.
He went on to refer The Manica Post to Manicaland provincial medical director, Dr Nyadundu, for further details on how the contact tracing is progressing.
However, Dr Nyadundu refused to comment on the matter. Sources revealed that authorities have since come up with a list of people who interacted or came into close contact with Muza from the day he was placed in quarantine until he began self-isolating at home.
“A list of the cops who interacted with Muza has been put together and appropriate measures have been put in place in line with Covid-19 guidelines. Some offices at Mutare Central Police Station have been fumigated,” said a reliable source.