Inmate pays to alter medical results to stall trial. An armed robbery suspect attempted to delay his trial by enlisting the help of a prison officer to modify a medical report, claiming he had lost his hearing.

The suspect, Witness Nyarupa, aged 44, was arrested on December 2, 2021, and has been in remand prison awaiting trial on charges of armed robbery. While in prison, Nyarupa claimed that he had developed a hearing impairment.

During proceedings at the Harare Magistrates Court, the National Prosecuting Authority revealed that Nyarupa was taken to Audiomax Clinic on June 23, 2023, for a medical examination by Dr. Tsungirirai Marufu, accompanied by officers from Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

According to the prosecution, an audiological evaluation was carried out, and Dr. Marufu concluded in her report that Nyarupa had normal hearing capabilities using both ears. The report was sent to Harare Remand Prison for further management.

However, it was alleged that while at Harare Remand Prison, Nyarupa conspired with prison officer Takawira Taderera, who intercepted the original report and made significant alterations to it. Taderera then drafted another medical report, falsely stating that Nyarupa was unable to hear with both ears. The revised report was stamped with a ZPCS Harare Remand Prison date stamp and submitted to the Harare Magistrate’s Court.

On January 17, the trial prosecutor summoned the audiologist, Dr. Marufu, to testify in court and clarify some of the contents of the report. During her testimony, Dr. Marufu denied writing the report, raising doubts about its authenticity.

A few days later, Nyarupa was apprehended, and he allegedly confessed to working with Taderera, aged 42, to forge the medical report. Nyarupa implicated another individual, Ignatius Bumhira, who is currently evading arrest, as an accomplice.

Nyarupa and Taderera appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi and were not required to enter a plea. They were remanded in custody pending their trial on charges of obstructing the course of justice.