Rape convict escapes from prison
PIGG’S PEAK – A 47-year-old inmate convicted of rape is on the loose after he escaped from the Pigg’s Peak Correctional facility on Friday.
Ndumiso Khumalo of Mayiwane area is said to have escaped during inmates’ vocational training programme.
According to sources working closely to the matter and privy to details, the inmate had been sentenced to nine years imprisonment for rape, and escaped while he had served less than two years of his sentence.
“It is true that he escaped from the Pigg’s Peak Correctional facility, but our colleguaes have been deployed and searching around Mbabane as that is where he is believed to be,” said a source within the Correctional Services.
The source highlighted that Correctional officers were deployed to serach for the escaped inmate in that members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) feel like the responsibility to ensure inmates did not escape was with Correctional officers who were tasked with the duty to keep them while serving their sentences after conviction.
Inmate
According to sources at His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), the inmate is not considered a flight risk and is not armed. This, the sources said, was because the crime of rape was separated in different offences.
“There is rape where the individual is considered dangerous as he would commit the offence by demanding forceful sexual intercourse and in the process threaten the victim with a weapon such as a knife. Then there is rape that might be consensual but find that the victim was a minor and it’s statutory rape,” said the source.
The police also issued a statement stating that Khumalo was wanted for escaping from lawful custody. The police statement highlights that he escaped while wearing a green two-piece prisoners uniform with HMCS badge.
Anyone who may have information concerning the escaped inmate is requested to contact Hhohho Regional Crime Branch Officer Jabulani Madlopha on 7605 7428 or Pigg’s Peak desk officer on 7615 4498 or alternatively call 999/9999.
HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) Baphelele Kunene, confirmed that it was true that one inmate by the name of Ndumiso Khumalo aged 47 from Mayiwane escaped from Pigg’s Peak Correctional Centre on Friday while at the facility’s vocational workshops.
“Nonetheless investigations on how he escaped are still ongoing, but we do appeal to members of the public to be on the lookout for the escapee, who was convicted for rape. Those who may have information about his whereabouts may kindly contact the operations office at 7606 2519 or the emergency toll-free which is 999. We further advise Khumalo upon hearing this information to consider returning to the Correctional facility as others have done so in the past in order to complete his sentence,” said Kunene.
He added that the escapee may also hand himself over to the nearest police station, where he will be rightly assisted with his return.