Calls for probe after nine prisoners escape from Western Cape courts
Six prisoners escaped from the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court, a week ago, with two being apprehended shortly thereafter, following three more later in the week.
Image: Bheki Radebe
Nine awaiting trial prisoners managed to escape from two court houses holding cells in a matter of days, raising the question of systematic failures and criminal collusion within the SAPS.
Of the nine - three have yet to be apprehended and are on the run.
The question was raised by Nicholas Gotsell MP - DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice, who said the DA is calling for urgent accountability from the Western Cape Police Commissioner and Minister of Correctional Services.
He also called for an independent investigation while the South African Prisoners Organization for Human Rights (SAPOH) said ultimately corruption was the root behind the escape.
National Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald's office was also approached, on the growing concerns of escapes though in police custody and following the fatal stabbing of two inmates at Pollsmoor Prison and two officials wounded.
Six prisoners escaped from the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court, a week ago, with two being apprehended shortly thereafter, following three more later in the week.
Prisoner Ismail George dubbed “the runaway bride” continues to be at large.
The group face charges relating to the illegal possession of a firearm and housebreaking and a warrant of an arrest.
At Strand Magistrates’ Court, three prisoners escaped on October 27. The escape was discovered when court officials arrived to return the prisoners to Pollsmoor, only to find the court cells empty, with no signs of forced entry or damage to the holding area.
The escapees were identified as Denver Pietersen aged 34, Glenville Jantjies aged 22 and Rastum Alfestus aged 25. Pietersen and Jantjies are facing charges of attempted murder while Alfestus had been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Ismail George.
Image: Supplied
Alfestus was successfully apprehended at a residence in Strand the following day.
Pietersen and Jantjies, are still at large.
Gotsell said he has since written to Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, calling for a probe.
“An independent investigation, including metro police, is needed as many SAPS officers act with impunity,” he said.
“The DA has already written to Lieutenant General Patekile requested the Wynberg escape report and will now write to the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice to urgently summon both the Western Cape Police Commissioner and the Minister of Correctional Services to account for these repeated failures."
Queries sent to saps media office for Patekile’s response, went unanswered.
Gotsell’s call is just days after the Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Anthea Ramaolobeng said she was concerned about the worrying trend of attacks on correctional officials by inmates and called for tighter security measures, as reported by IOL.
Singabakho Nxumalo, Acting spokesperson for Groenewald said it was the duty the police to transport prisoners to court houses.
"Correctional Services does not transport remand detainees to court. They get released from the DCS system when picked up for court."
The Department of Justice but did not respond to queries.
Golden Miles Bhudu, National spokesperson for SAPOHR, said the responsibility fell on saps and that corruption was rife.
“We won't be surprised if this latest escapes from legal custody by either un/sentenced prisoners, attending further charges are orchestrated and smacks like "INSIDE JOBS",” he stated.
He added that sentenced prisoners were, however, the responsibility of DCS.