Escapees 'must have had help'

2007-08-06 08:13

Johannesburg - Prison officials must have colluded with the ten prisoners who escaped from the Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni, Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour said on Sunday.

"I am convinced there was absolutely no way the offenders could have escaped without the collusion of certain officials," he said in a two-hour visit to the prison, which he described as second to the Kokstad Correctional Centre in terms of security.

It was to Kokstad that the fugitives would be taken when they were caught, he said, adding that the police were on "national alert" to track them down and capture them.

The prisoners, aged between 28 and 35, were serving life sentences for murder, armed robbery and other crimes.

'Bad elements'

They made their break for freedom by cutting through a fence in the prison yard and driving off in a blue Volkswagen Polo.

Balfour said he had ordered a special task team to help clean up the Qalakabusha Correctional Centre of "bad elements".

In the meantime, he appealed to the public not to try and apprehend the men as they were "armed and very dangerous", but to go to the police.

The escapees are: Xolani Ngobese, Ndoda Mkhwanazi, Phonco Sibonkhele, Phil Mbatha, Sipho Buthelezi, Mandlendoda Sibiya, Petro Nkosinathi, Blessed Khanyile, Sibusiso Mdlumela and Muzwiwenhlanhla Sikhosana.

Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Phindile Radebe said the Richards Bay organised crime unit was investigating.

In a statement, the National Democratic Convention described the escapes of as "unacceptable" and urged Balfour to put every available policeman on the search for the men.

Correctional services could not allow the bribing of its staff to help in escapes, or the smuggling into prisons of liquor, drugs and other contraband, it said.

- SAPA