Public’s help sought to recapture awaiting-trial prisoners
THE POLICE are appealing for the public’s help to rearrest five prisoners who escaped on Monday while being transported from the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo to Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria.
Mugshots and the names of the suspects – which include Justice and Innocent – were released yesterday.
Gauteng police spokeswoman Captain Doniah Mothutsane said the five men – Liston Baloyi, 22, Innocent Mahlalela, 40, Sammy Sibiya, 23, Justice Moakiri, 27, and Diver Mogudu, 25 – were awaiting trial for armed robbery and had escaped around 3.35pm. “Yesterday (Monday), members from Bela-Bela SAPS were trans- porting 10 suspects when five managed to escape from the vehicle at the corner of Es’kia Mphahlele and Bloed streets in the Pretoria CBD.”
Mothutsane said the men had removed the iron mesh and kicked out the rear window.
The five escapees were arrested for armed robbery, but not all the cases were related.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Lesetja Mothiba said no stone would be left unturned to establish how they managed to escape.
“A thorough investigation will be done and if our members have been negligent, they will be held accountable. Many hours and a lot of manpower have been invested to arrest these dangerous criminals, and the public are assured everything possible will be done to rearrest them,” he said.
Last week, three prisoners escaped from the Primrose police station holding cells by making a hole in the wall. They are still on the run.
The public are urged not to confront the suspects as they are dangerous, but should rather phone Crime Stop at 08600 10111, SMS CrimeLine at 32211 or contact their nearest police station.