15 prisoners make a run at red traffic light

PRISONERS who were being transported from Durban Central Police Station to Westville Prison escaped from the truck they were travelling in yesterday.

Police confirmed that 15 out of 54 prisoners made a run for it while the truck was stationary at the traffic lights near McDonald’s fast food outlet on KE Masinga Road (Old Fort Road).

According to police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele, the driver noticed the prisoners running from the truck while he waited for the traffic light to turn green.

“When the driver went to inspect the back of the truck, he found that the lock had been cut. Police are investigating how that happened,” she said.

The identities of the prisoners could not be released yesterday as Mbele said the police were still in the process of compiling a full report on the incident.

“At this point, I cannot tell you their names or the charges they are facing.

“The report will be ready today and then those details will be made public,” Mbele said.

Images of six alleged prisoners involved in the escape were shared on social media yesterday, however, Mbele said she could not confirm if the Facebook post was legitimate.

Spokesperson for Correctional Services in the province Thulani Mdluli said he could not comment on the matter as the prisoners were under the control and management of SAPS at the time of the incident.

“We have no information at this point as SAPS will handle the situation and the report,” Mdluli said.

Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or sms Crime Stop on 32211.