Hero cop recaptures three dangerous escapees

A warrant officer was praised by the provincial police head office on Thursday for his role in recapturing three dangerous prisoners during an attempted breakout in the Mthatha magistrate’s court complex.

The escape attempt on Wednesday left another police officer with serious head and facial injuries when the escapees smashed his head with their leg irons and chains.

Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said the wounded officer, a warrant officer Mbonani, had been rushed to hospital.

The three were in court on a string of charges, including murder, armed robbery and house robbery.

Tonjeni said: “It is alleged that a W/O Sibia, a court orderly, was escorting prisoners from court to the holding cells when he noticed three awaiting-trial prisoners running up the stairs.

“He raised the alarm and managed to apprehend them after a fight.

“After that, he went to find out how they managed to get out.

“It was there that he found W/O Mbonani with serious head and face injuries, having been assaulted with leg irons and chains.”

Tonjeni said Mbonani was taken to St Mary’s Private Hospital.

A senior police source investigating the case said the trio were taken to Wellington Prison.

The source said Sibi was in the process of taking a group of prisoners to their holding cells when he noticed the three running up the stairs. He locked the group up and gave chase after the escapees.

A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and attempted escape was registered.