3 escape from E Cape court

2008-11-22 11:29

Mthatha - Three awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from the Mthatha Magistrate's Court holding cells on Friday and one has been rearrested, Eastern Cape police said.

Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said the three men overpowered a policeman on the way to the court from the holding cells.

They used a blunt instrument to hit the officer over the head, grabbed his firearm and fled. It was unknown how they managed to obtain the blunt instrument.

One of the men was charged with rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and the other two were charged with rape and murder.

During Friday afternoon one of the men, a 20-year-old charged with rape and assault, was rearrested.

He will now face an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.

The other two men were still being sought and police were following up on information, Fatyela said.

- SAPA