Kimberley - Northern Cape police have launched a massive manhunt for nine prisoners who escaped from the Jan Kempdorp Police Station cells.
The prisoners were all awaiting trial after being arrested in connection with various crimes ranging from housebreaking to robbery and murder.
They escaped during the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to police information, it is alleged that the detainees, all remanded prisoners, cut the wire mesh in a recreational area with an unknown sharp object and then escaped.
The escapees are: Joseph Gras and Joel Mokomela, both wanted for murder, Antonie Seipubi, wanted for murder and robbery, Vincent Moitse, wanted for robbery and Mosimane Mogakwe, Irvin Pampier, Katlego Mooki, Bradley Davids and Sivile Rona, who are all wanted for housebreaking.
Concerns were raised on Monday about the possible involvement of police officials in the escape, after the police indicated that an internal investigation would be conducted regarding the incident.
“Police management will not tolerate negligence by members who do not adhere to the organisational guidelines, regulations and code of conduct while performing their duties as police officials and they will be dealt with decisively,” police spokeswoman Brigadier Masebueng Mochologi-Maleeme said on Monday.
She confirmed that the police were investigating a case of escaping from lawful custody.
One concerned Jan Kempdorp resident asked why wanted criminals were in a recreational area during the “early hours of Sunday morning”.
“These criminals should have been locked up and behind bars during the night, under police supervision and not allowed access outside. How could not a single police official notice anything, while nine detainees escape? And where did they get hold of the object they used to escape. This reeks of an inside job,” the man said.
Mochologi-Maleeme appealed to the community to assist in tracing the suspects.
“Should these suspects be seen, the community is urged not to approach them, as they could be dangerous. They should contact their local police station on 053 456 5602/03, the Detective Commander at Jan Kempdorp, Detective Captain Reuben Masire on 082 495 4644, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the SMS Crime Line on 32211,” Mochologi-Maleeme added.
On Monday the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison (NCDTSL) responded to the incident by also urging communities to assist in recapturing the alleged offenders.
NCDTSL spokesman, Geoffrey van der Merwe, said the MEC, Martha Bartlett, would await the investigation report from SAPS management following the incident.
“We want to assure communities that we will do everything in our power to ensure that these offenders are recaptured and placed behind bars, where they belong. We also want to urge communities to play their part in assisting and informing the SAPS of the escapees’ whereabouts,” Van der Merwe added.
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