Seven prison escapees still being sought

SEVEN of the 16 inmates who broke out of the Johannesburg Prison‚ also known as Sun City‚ last month are back behind bars.

Two died in a shootout with police in Greytown‚ KwaZulu-Natal.

“Seven escapees are still at large,” Correctional Services spokesman Monama Mochete said.

“The department together with other law enforcement agencies will not rest until they are all back behind bars,” Mochete said.

“We would like to plead with the community to come forward with any information that may lead to the rearrest of the remaining escapees.”

He could not immediately say which inmates were still on the run.

During the escape, part of the prison’s brick wall was removed and metal cupboards stacked on top of each other led to the hole in the wall.

A wire-mesh grill was cut and pushed outward‚ providing room for the 16 to make their way out.

Days later two prison warders based at the facility were arrested for allegedly aiding the escapees.

“The officials‚ Sipho Simulindile Skwatsha and Wiseman Xolani Majola‚ have since appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on May 3 and were given bail of R5 000 each,” Mochete said.

“They are due to appear in court again on June 13.”

Seven officials, including Skwatsha and Majola, had been suspended pending the outcome of investigations, he said. – TimesLIVE