'Houdini' report 'lacks answers'
2007-03-06 12:10
Cape Town - Parliament's portfolio committee on correctional services on Tuesday rejected the findings of the task team set up to investigate Annanias Mathe's escape from C Max prison, calling for a fresh probe.
The committee said the task team's report had failed to explain the mystery surrounding Mathe's escape.
"The report leaves a lot to be desired as it does not provide answers on how Mathe could have escaped," African National Congress MP Nkosi Xolo said.
The task team, comprising of investigators from correctional services, the National Intelligence Agency and the police, could not find evidence suggesting that Mathe was actively assisted by prison officials during his escape last year.
It endorsed suggestions that Mathe could have escaped through a tiny prison window.
"How could he have escaped through such a small window? The task team's report leaves us with more questions than answers.
"An independent task team headed by a retired judge should be appointed to re-investigate this matter," Xolo said.
Democratic Alliance MP James Self said South Africans would never know how Mathe managed to escape from the country's top security prison unless criminal charges were brought against prison officials.
"After the investigating team briefed us, the mystery surrounding Mathe's escape still remains.
"Unless people where criminally charged and brought before a court of law, the story surrounding Mathe's escape will remain a mystery," he said.
Inkatha Freedom Party MP Sybil Seaton called for criminal charges to be brought against those who were on duty when Mathe escaped.
The committee would soon inform parliament about its decision to reject the task team report.
- SAPA