Top team probes jail break

2007-08-06 16:18

Durban - A team of top officials from correctional services will be sent to the Qalakabusha correctional centre in Empangeni to investigate the escape of 10 inmates on Sunday.

Correctional Services department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said the team would not include officials from the centre. He said the department would issue a full statement as well as pictures of the escapees later.

The 10, aged between 28 and 35, made their break for freedom by cutting through a fence in the prison yard and driving off in a blue Volkswagen Polo.

It was not clear whether all 10 men escaped in that vehicle, or if there was another one.

Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour said that prison officials must have colluded with the prisoners.

"I'm convinced that 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.

He said the police were on "national alert" to track down the prisoners and capture them.

The Justice for Prisoners and Detainees Trust said that corruption within South Africa's correctional facilities was rife.

Spokesperson Derrick Mdluli said: "The trust found evidence of the escape of prisoners, assault of prisoners by (prisons service) members and also the encouragement of gangs by members."

He said that prisons were secure and prisoners could only escape with a warder's help.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) also reiterated that corruption was prevalent in South Africa's prisons.

IFP MP Sybil Seaton called on Balfour to act speedily and decisively.

The prisoners were serving life sentences for murder, armed robbery and other crimes.

- SAPA