Vuyolwethu Sangotsha
Vuyolwethu Sangotsha
Two prisoners escaped while they were being transported from a police station to a prison in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, Mthatha police said yesterday.
The prisoners were allegedly being transported in a police van from Tsolo Police Station to Wellington Prison when they made their daring escape.
The latest incident has brought the number of escapees in the Eastern Cape to eleven, with three break-outs within the space of two weeks, according to police.
"It is alleged that the police vehicle transporting the two prisoners stopped at traffic lights between Elliot and Madeira when the incident happened.
"The prisoners were being transported from Tsolo Police Station en route to Wellington Prison," police spokesman Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said.
Fatyela said the two prisoners allegedly opened the door of the vehicle and fled.
He warned the public to be on the look out for the prisoners because they were "very dangerous".
The two prisoners, aged 26 and 28, were facing murder, armed robbery and rape charges. Fatyela said the two police officers who were transporting the escapees were being investigated but had not been suspended from duty.
"They should have secured the vehicle properly. If we find any wrong doing on their part, they will face the music," Fatyela added.
When asked if the officers had been bribed by the prisoners, Fatyela said only the investigation would reveal if the officers were negligent or had been bribed.
Eastern Cape safety and security department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said MEC Thobile Mhlahlo was unhappy about the incident.
"We strongly condemn this element of casualness by our officers," Kumbaca said.
More prisoners escape
Vuyolwethu Sangotsha
Vuyolwethu Sangotsha
Two prisoners escaped while they were being transported from a police station to a prison in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, Mthatha police said yesterday.
The prisoners were allegedly being transported in a police van from Tsolo Police Station to Wellington Prison when they made their daring escape.
The latest incident has brought the number of escapees in the Eastern Cape to eleven, with three break-outs within the space of two weeks, according to police.
"It is alleged that the police vehicle transporting the two prisoners stopped at traffic lights between Elliot and Madeira when the incident happened.
"The prisoners were being transported from Tsolo Police Station en route to Wellington Prison," police spokesman Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said.
Fatyela said the two prisoners allegedly opened the door of the vehicle and fled.
He warned the public to be on the look out for the prisoners because they were "very dangerous".
The two prisoners, aged 26 and 28, were facing murder, armed robbery and rape charges. Fatyela said the two police officers who were transporting the escapees were being investigated but had not been suspended from duty.
"They should have secured the vehicle properly. If we find any wrong doing on their part, they will face the music," Fatyela added.
When asked if the officers had been bribed by the prisoners, Fatyela said only the investigation would reveal if the officers were negligent or had been bribed.
Eastern Cape safety and security department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said MEC Thobile Mhlahlo was unhappy about the incident.
"We strongly condemn this element of casualness by our officers," Kumbaca said.
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