There was drama at the Harare Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday when a 21-year-old man who had been arrested for touting bolted out of the court building before sentencing. Kudakwashe Nyika was brought to court along with 15 others on charges of touting as the on-going joint operation involving municipal officials and the ZRP intensifies.

The operation is aimed at restoring order at city ranks. As the touts were being led into the court building, Nyika could not stomach going to prison. Last Friday, Magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma had sentenced 20 touts to a three-month jail terms each. There was pandemonium when Nyika suddenly made a U-turn and bolted out of the court building.

He was only apprehended more than a kilometre away from the Rotten Row Magistrates' Court. Nyika is now facing another charge of escaping from lawful custody.

He is expected to appear in court today.

Magistrate Ms Shelly Zvenyika convicted the other 15 for contravening the Road Motor Transportation Act. Eight of them who are above 18 years were sentenced to three-month jail terms each while the remaining seven who are below 18 were spared jail.