Sibanda first woman to escape prison in 22-years
Pini Bothoko | Monday February 9, 2026 09:47
50-year-old Stella Sibanda, a Zimbabwean national, escaped from Gaborone Women’s Prison on Wednesday. However, her freedom was short-lived, as she was recaptured the following morning in Block 3, Gaborone.
Confirming the incident, Botswana Prison Service (BPS) Public Relations Officer, Oagile Kojane, said escapes involving female inmates are extremely rare.
“She is not the first woman to have escaped from prison. However, such incidents are not common. The last recorded case was in December 2004, when Vungani Chehuru, also a Zimbabwean national who was faced with burglary and theft charges, escaped from Serowe Women’s Prison,” Kojane said.
He explained that preliminary investigations are currently underway to establish how Sibanda managed to escape from custody.
“We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape, and more details will be provided once investigations are complete,” he said.
Kojane further revealed that Sibanda was recaptured through a joint operation by members of the Botswana Prison Service and the Botswana Police Service, following information received from members of the public.
“We would like to commend members of the public for their cooperation, which played a critical role in her swift arrest,” he said.
Asked about measures being taken to prevent similar incidents in future, Kojane said the Prisons Service is continuously strengthening its security systems.
“We are reviewing our procedures and reinforcing security measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur again,” he said.
Sibanda was remanded in custody in July last year in connection with the murder of Timothy Segola. She is alleged to have conspired with Segola’s wife, Malebogo Segola, Alfred Gaseitsewe (42), and Maxwell Chirinda (22) to kill him.
According to court records, the murder allegedly took place on June 5, 2025, near Rahutse lands in Gakuto. The four suspects were subsequently arraigned before Broadhurst Magistrate's Court, where they were remanded in custody by Magistrate, Jobby Moilatshimo.
Then, Segola’s body was discovered in the bush with a deep wound on his head, suspected to have been hit with a blunt object. Sibanda, who is reportedly a traditional healer, has since been returned to custody. She is expected to continue appearing before the court as her case proceeds.