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Beating Chains: Falsely Accused. Framed. Imprisoned.
‘Few would’ve survived Rusty’s ordeal – an incredible story of hope and resilience’ - Stephen McGown, author of Six Years a Hostage
Rusty Labuschagne has been through a trauma few have experienced and disclosed. In 2003, the successful Zimbabwean businessman, who ran a safari outfit, flew his own aircraft and had a fishing resort on Lake Kariba, was framed by a poacher, the police, and the courts and wrongfully convicted of drowning a poacher.
He served ten years in Zimbabwe’s prisons, including the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where he suffered through food shortages, no running water, and people dying around him daily.
Rusty lost everything he had worked so hard for, but most of all, his freedom. His story is a testament to his extraordinary resilience in conditions most would find unbearable.
He shares the life lessons he learned – how to harness your inner strength, how to forgive, and how to show gratitude – as he found true freedom through sincerity and humility.
Rusty’s is an inspiring story of true grit in the face of great adversity, of a man who loses everything as he is broken by a corrupt political system, but who then rises to fight that system on his own terms. In doing so he rebuilds himself from the inside out.
Rusty Labuschagne has been through a trauma few have experienced and disclosed. In 2003, the successful Zimbabwean businessman, who ran a safari outfit, flew his own aircraft and had a fishing resort on Lake Kariba, was framed by a poacher, the police, and the courts and wrongfully convicted of drowning a poacher.
He served ten years in Zimbabwe’s prisons, including the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, where he suffered through food shortages, no running water, and people dying around him daily.
Rusty lost everything he had worked so hard for, but most of all, his freedom. His story is a testament to his extraordinary resilience in conditions most would find unbearable.
He shares the life lessons he learned – how to harness your inner strength, how to forgive, and how to show gratitude – as he found true freedom through sincerity and humility.
Rusty’s is an inspiring story of true grit in the face of great adversity, of a man who loses everything as he is broken by a corrupt political system, but who then rises to fight that system on his own terms. In doing so he rebuilds himself from the inside out.
Audible Audio
Published November 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 29, 2024
A white rich man with connections goes to prison. Although he has some horrible times, he was still better off than all the ones around him. His sister had connections and paid off police officers. And the way he tells the story, he still feels like he is as unfortunate as all others.
He apparently also found g od whilst his sister was paying off the CIO. Was it god or your sister, mate?
Poorly edited book, too.
Took me ages to finish and I love autobiography.
It's interesting to learn about Zimbabwe, though .
He apparently also found g od whilst his sister was paying off the CIO. Was it god or your sister, mate?
Poorly edited book, too.
Took me ages to finish and I love autobiography.
It's interesting to learn about Zimbabwe, though .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2026
I could not put this book down. A real eye opener about the conditions in Zimbabwe prisons. The corruption at every level makes your mind boggle & the cruelty fellow Zimbabweans (prison guards and people in a position of authority) show to their own race is beyond belief.
A very well written true story of a man wrongly accused of murder and imprisoned for 10 years. Encouraging to discover that despite a hopeless situation Rusty (the author) lived to tell his story. Rusty now travels around the world as a motivational speaker.
A very well written true story of a man wrongly accused of murder and imprisoned for 10 years. Encouraging to discover that despite a hopeless situation Rusty (the author) lived to tell his story. Rusty now travels around the world as a motivational speaker.
November 23, 2024
Brilliant read but also incredibly difficult. Had to put it down every now and then as the stories shared from Rusty’s real life experiences were so upsetting. Highly recommend.
The descriptions of my dad, Mark, made me feel so proud but also gave me a good chuckle in regard to his shepherd-like appearance!
The descriptions of my dad, Mark, made me feel so proud but also gave me a good chuckle in regard to his shepherd-like appearance!
March 3, 2024
It is a very graphic book on life as a falsely accused in a Zimbabwean prison.
The story is gripping and heart wrenching, but I do beleive there are repeats and structure challenges. The book was about 1/4 to long.
The story is gripping and heart wrenching, but I do beleive there are repeats and structure challenges. The book was about 1/4 to long.
September 2, 2023
Brilliant book. So sorry to hear what went on in that prison - just awful. I wish you a very happy life with your friends and family
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews