Sowetan learnt that the inner cell door lock was malfunctioning
POLICE officers who were on duty at the weekend in Siloam, Limpopo, are in hot water after two prisoners escaped from holding cells at the local police station.
The two awaiting trial prisoners, both Zimbabwean nationals, identified as Chikangwa Khanqwari, 23, and Maanda Mudau, 24, escaped early yesterday morning after cutting through burglar bars.
Sowetan learnt that the inner cell door lock was malfunctioning and that police officers on duty could not access the cell.
Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed yesterday that two prisoners had escaped and that the officers who were on duty on the day would face disciplinary action.
"We are concerned that, for starters, the escapees were supposed to have been taken to prison, instead of police-holding cells, because they were known to be dangerous. Somebody must explain," Mulaudzi said yesterday.
He said they would also investigate why the problem with the lock was not reported, and if it was reported why no action was taken.
He said they had already informed the officers who were on duty of the intention to charge them departmentally.
Mulaudzi said the two men were facing murder and armed robbery cases.
They appeared in court on August 17 and had their cases postponed to October 12. -frankm@sowetan.co.za
Cops in hot water over cell escape
Sowetan learnt that the inner cell door lock was malfunctioning
POLICE officers who were on duty at the weekend in Siloam, Limpopo, are in hot water after two prisoners escaped from holding cells at the local police station.
The two awaiting trial prisoners, both Zimbabwean nationals, identified as Chikangwa Khanqwari, 23, and Maanda Mudau, 24, escaped early yesterday morning after cutting through burglar bars.
Sowetan learnt that the inner cell door lock was malfunctioning and that police officers on duty could not access the cell.
Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed yesterday that two prisoners had escaped and that the officers who were on duty on the day would face disciplinary action.
"We are concerned that, for starters, the escapees were supposed to have been taken to prison, instead of police-holding cells, because they were known to be dangerous. Somebody must explain," Mulaudzi said yesterday.
He said they would also investigate why the problem with the lock was not reported, and if it was reported why no action was taken.
He said they had already informed the officers who were on duty of the intention to charge them departmentally.
Mulaudzi said the two men were facing murder and armed robbery cases.
They appeared in court on August 17 and had their cases postponed to October 12. -frankm@sowetan.co.za
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