Cops launch nationwide hunt
2006-06-07 10:33
Johannesburg - The search for two criminals who escaped from the Middledrift maximum security prison has been extended nationwide, the Eastern Cape correctional services department said on Wednesday.
Police were working "around the clock" to apprehend the two men, considered to be very aggressive and dangerous, spokesperson Lumphumzo Kebeni said.
Pakamisa Myoli, 41, and Thanduxolo Jayiya, 32, both serving life terms for murder and other crimes, escaped from the prison after holding a correctional officer hostage and taking his keys on Tuesday morning.
Kebeni said he escape had been systematically planned as the man had firearms before the break-out as could be seen on closed-circuit television.
Firearms smuggled in
The men held Vusumzi Deli hostage and managed to get hold of his keys, unlock their cells and get away.
The suspected owner of the getaway car and another car owner believed to be the wife of one of the prisoners, were being held for questioning.
"It is suspected that the firearms were smuggled in by correctional officers, and if it is found the prisoners were assisted by any of our members, due disciplinary procedures will definitely be followed and those responsible will face the music," Kebeni said.
Meanwhile, a tip-off led police and correctional officials to foil an escape at the St Albans prison near Port Elizabeth, Kebeni said.
Along with the defence force, they set up a trap and arrested two ex-inmates who were allegedly on their way to set up the escape attempt early on Wednesday morning.
- SAPA