Four escapees still on the run

2005-07-19 10:55

Durban - Four prisoners who escaped from Durban's Westville prison on Saturday were still at large on Tuesday, police said.

Despite the escape, security has not been stepped up at the prison, according to Correctional Services spokesperson Nonala Ndlovu. "All the necessary measures were and still are in place," Ndlovu said on Tuesday.

A report on the escape by Nicholas Mlotshwa, Siphiwe Ntombela, Nkosinathi Gcanu and Bongani Malala, who were all held on charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery, had been expected to be released this week.

However, Ndlovu said it would no longer be done. "We are at a critical stage in the investigation and cannot release any more information..."

According to police spokesperson Inspector Thulani Mkhize the four men, who were held in the prison's Medium A section, escaped when warders unlocked their cell gate to give them food on Saturday morning.

"They produced firearms and abducted a warder and fired two shots as they escaped," he said.

The warder was left outside the prison as the men escaped in a police vehicle and a car belonging to one of the warders.

One of the cars was found abandoned outside the prison complex and the other in Chesterville, a nearby township, said Mkhize.

He said it was not the first time that Mlotshwa had escaped from prison.

- SAPA