Two sentenced prisoners escape Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has launched a manhunt following the escape of two sentenced prisoners from Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Tshwane.
According to the department, the prisoners managed to escape in the early hours of Wednesday morning 9 December.
KGOSI MAMPURU II CORRECTIONAL CENTRE: WHAT HAVE THE PRISONERS BEEN SENTENCED FOR?
According to Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, the escapees are Thabo Zacharia Muyambo from Mozambique and Johannes Chauke from Zimbabwe.
Muyambo is serving a life sentence for 21 counts of various crimes including rape, robbery and kidnapping and Chauke is serving 20 years for housebreaking offences.
“The two are still at large and members of the Emergency Support Team from Correctional Services working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) are hot on their heels and these escapees shall be brought back behind bars,” said Nxumalo.
The Department of Correctional Services has also initiated an internal investigation into the incident.
“Members of the public are urged to contact the nearest police station should they come into contact with them,” added Nxumalo.
When asked how the prisoners managed to escape the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, Nxumalo said that it is still being investigated.
EIGHT PRISONERS ESCAPE IN EASTERN CAPE
Apart from the prison break in Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Tshwane, eight prisoners who were awaiting trial, managed to escape Mount Ayliff police cells in the Eastern Cape back in August.
“On investigation and inspection of the cells, the police discovered that iron bars and windows from the cell were damaged and indeed about eight (8) awaiting trial prisoners had already escaped from lawful custody”, said police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
“The prisoners are believed to be very dangerous to society as they have committed serious offences, ranging from murder, rape, and robbery”, he said.
The prisoners were identified as Alungile Loni, 21, Mfundiso Nogwanya, 22, Sipho Mdutyulwa, 26, John Themba Ndou, 36, Nathi Mavela, 21, Lizwi Dawedi, 21, Sipho Ndzelu, 21 and Abongile Mphandana, 27.
Just a month before, in July, 68 prisoners escaped from the Malmesbury Correctional Facility in the Western Cape. The prisoners are believed to have overpowered officials during their exercise period and locked three of the guards in a cell before opening for other inmates and then finally escaping through the main entrance and over the roof.