11 prison officials suspended

2007-08-07 21:17

Durban - Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour says 11 prison officials will be suspended after the escape of ten inmates from the Qalakabusha prison.

Balfour's announcement followed the re-arrest of three of the men on Tuesday morning.

The minister, who addressed a news conference at the prison on Tuesday afternoon, said the officials would be suspended on Thursday for suspected collusion, negligence and unethical behaviour.

Police spokesperson Phindile Radebe said earlier that two of the men had been arrested in Mtubatuba and another in Esikhaweni, about 15km south of Richards Bay.

Mandlandodo Mbuyaza, 31, who was serving two years for escaping, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Mtubatuba. Thobani Sibiya, 26, was arrested at 11:00 in Mtubatuba, while Mlhosi Mdluli, 27, was arrested about 08:00 in Esikhaweni.

Both Sibiya and Mdluli were serving life sentences for charges such as housebreaking, armed robbery and murder.

The ten men are thought to have escaped by cutting through a fence in the prison yard and driving off in a blue Volkswagen Polo.

- SAPA