Prisoners escape from police cells in Margate

THE police are searching for five prisoners who escaped from the cells at the Margate police station on the South Coast yesterday.

Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed that the five, who are awaiting trial prisoners, escaped yesterday morning.

“They were arrested for serious cases such as murder and robberies. Police officers are still searching for them,” said Zwane.

Matomela Dwetshe, Wiseman Mduduzi Ngxaba, Saneliso Owen Malanga, Sanele Hlongwane and Sanele Ncane allegedly escaped through the roof of the cells.

Zwane added that more information on the suspects would be released as it became available.

The incident comes after other recent escape cases.

Njabulo Lucky Mbatha, an awaiting trial prisoner, escaped last month from Westville Prison. The 32-year-old, who faces charges of housebreaking and theft, escaped while construction was under way at the prison. He was later arrested.

In addition to housebreaking and theft charges, Mbatha also now faces a charge of escaping from lawful custody. Meanwhile, after a week on the run, awaiting trial prisoner Mfanelo Jabulani Mathe, 19, was re-arrested near Nongoma in Zululand last week.

This is after five prisoners escaped from lawful custody while they were being transported to Vryheid correctional services by two police officers. Four of them were re-arrested.

Zwane said that in that incident, while the police vehicle was passing the Ngome policing area, the prisoners held up the police officers and took their firearms.

“The accused were in custody for rape, robbery, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” said Zwane.