7 prisoners on the run
2007-09-01 17:03
Johannesburg - Seven awaiting trial prisoners have escaped from an Mthatha jail, Eastern Cape police said on Saturday.
Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said the men - arrested for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, theft and assault - had escaped from their cell at Wellington prison between 22:00 and 23:00 on Friday.
He said the men had escaped by sawing through two burglar bars in their cell.
The "dangerous criminals" were between the ages of 18 and 39.
A case of escaping from lawful custody had been opened by Correctional Services, said Fatyela.
Meanwhile the National Democratic Convention (Nadeco) said that the escapes were becoming a norm.
Nadeco spokesperson Margaret Arnolds said: "We as citizens are now tired of these escapes it is now becoming the norm.
The Minister should now look into this very seriously."
- SAPA