THE Department of Correctional Services has fired six prison warders who helped convicted criminal Ananias Mathe escape from C-Max Prison in November 2006.

THE Department of Correctional Services has fired six prison warders who helped convicted criminal Ananias Mathe escape from C-Max Prison in November 2006.

The department refused to give the names of the six warders, saying they can't be known to the public.

But the Democratic Alliance has called on the National Prosecuting Authority to charge the six warders as accomplices in all the crimes Mathe committed after his escape.

Judge Geraldine Borchers, who sentenced Mathe to an effective 54 years, said Mathe was indeed assisted to escape from C-Max Prison.

"Those prison warders should be held as accomplices to all the crimes committed after he escaped from prison," said DA shadow minister of correctional services, James Self said.

"I unsuccessfully submitted to Correctional Services last year that anyone who aided or abetted a prisoner to escape should be charged for the crime the prisoner commits after escaping," he said.

"The Department of Correctional Service has done its part by expelling the six prison wardens but NPA should now do theirs."

The spokesperson for the Correctional Services minister, Sonwabo Mbanango, said the six warders linked to Mathe's escape were dismissed in September.

Mbanango said after the escape the department immediately launched an internal investigation.

"As a result of the prob, a disciplinary hearing was held at which four officials were found guilty and dismissed on September 10.

"Two other officials were later dismissed after a separate disciplinary hearing."

Mbanango said the six officials were appealing their dismissal.

Mbanango refused to comment on the allegations that Mathe had used Vaseline to escape through a window at C-Max Prison.

On Tuesday Mathe was sentenced to a total of 455 years on 64 charges of rape, indecent assault, attempted murder, aggravated robbery