Johannesburg - Gauteng police are searching for five awaiting trial prisoners who escaped while being transported from court to prison on Monday around 15:35.
Spokesperson Captain Doniah Mothutsane said Bela Bela police members were transporting 10 suspects from the Bela Bela Magistrate's Court to Kgosi Mampuru Prison when the five prisoners escaped from the vehicle at the corner of Es’kia Mphahlele and Bloed streets.
"It was established they managed to remove the iron mesh and kick out the rear window, jumped out of the vehicle and ran away. The police fine-combed the area, but no arrests were made," Mothutsane said.
All arrested for armed robbery, the escapees are Liston Baloyi, 22, Innocent Mahlalela, 40, Sammy Sibiya, 23, Justice Moakiri, 27, and Diver Mogudu, 25.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Lesetja Mothiba said a thorough investigation would be done. "If our members have been negligent, they will be held accountable.”
“Many hours and manpower have been invested to arrest these dangerous criminals and the public is assured everything possible will be done to re-arrest them. A charge of escaping from lawful custody will be added to the other crimes they have been charged with,” said Mothiba.
Members of the community were urged not to confront the suspects as they were considered dangerous.
People could contact Crime Stop on 0860 010 111, SMS Crime line on 32211 or contact the nearest police station.
