Police launch manhunt for seven dangerous prisoners who cut prison bars with a hacksaw and escaped

escaped prisoners

Cape Town – Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt after seven dangerous prisoners escaped from a prison in Makhanda (Grahamstown) on Tuesday morning.

The prisoners allegedly used a hacksaw to cut through the prison bars, reported TimesLIVE.

The report said that deputy justice and correctional services minister, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa revealed details of the incident during a media briefing in KwaZulu-Natal.

He also raised concerns about security measures that would have prevented the incident.

“A hacksaw was used to break the burglar bars. It means there was a lapse in security because if there was constant patrolling taking place this shouldn’t have happened. The manner in which these burglars were cut tells us it took a lot of time and the correctional services did not detect that, which is worrying,” he said.

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The escaped prisoners included six Zimbabwean nationals and one South African, police said in a statement.

Their charges ranged from murder, attempted murder, and housebreaking to rhino poaching said police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli.

He also warned the public not to approach the prisoners, and instead call the police.

“Police are warning the community that these prisoners are dangerous and should not be approached instead police must be contacted.  We are also urging communities not to protect these criminals as they will be committing an offence if found to be aiding and abetting them,” said Nkohli.

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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe 

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