Search for six youths continues after mass breakout at Bonnytoun facility

POLICE are still searching for six youths who fled the Bonnytoun Secure Care Centre in Kraaifontein after overpowering the centre’s staff on Friday.

Western Cape Department of Social Development spokesman Sihle Ngobese said the police and the parents of the youth were immediately informed after the incident.

“During the incident, two of our care staff at the Bonnytoun centre sustained injuries. One of them is still in hospital receiving treatment. We wish them a speedy recovery. The search for the six boys who absconded is ongoing,” he said.

Ngobese said 31 boys at Bonnytoun, which serves as a Child & Youth Care Centre, had assaulted and overpowered the staff.

“The entire group initially managed to abscond, but 20 of them were soon apprehended and brought back to the facility. Another five were found by their parents, and are being returned to the centre.”

Ngobese said operations had returned to normal.

Security at Bonnytoun had been beefed up in 2011 after 17 awaiting-trial juveniles escaped from the facility in one month – some scaling an electric fence to get away.

The department stepped in, hired a new manager and reviewed the contract of the security company working at the centre.

Social Development MEC Albert Fritz confirmed that during September that year, 17 boys had escaped from the centre in four separate incidents.

He said he took these transgressions “very seriously and will ensure that if there was any negligence on the part of officials, steps will be taken…”

The facility houses 50 boys aged between 14 and 17, and their crimes range from theft to housebreaking and armed robbery.

Former centre manager Kenny Marthinus said he often witnessed boys getting shocked while jumping the fence. In other incidents, boys would break windows and kick out burglar bars to escape the facility.

The department is appealing to anyone who might have information on the whereabouts of the six boys. Contact Kraaifontein police at 021 980 5500 or 10111, or the department’s hotline at 0800 220 250.