Cape Town – Fourteen prisoners overpowered a court orderly before escaping from Philippi Magistrate’s Court holding cells, minutes before they were to be transported to Pollsmoor Prison.
The escaped prisoners, who were detained at various holding cells appeared at Philippi Magistrate’s Court for cases including robberies, possession of drugs, theft and assault on Wednesday.
A few hours later, seven of the escapees were re-arrested by the police’s Tracing Team, CIG and Vispol.
The search for the remaining prisoners continues, police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said.
On October 29, 14 prisoners escaped from holding cells at Delft police station after assaulting and overpowering a officer, who was doing a routine check.
Two of the escapees had been arrested few hours later. However police could not confirm yesterday whether the 12 suspects had been re-arrested.
Van Wyk said people with any information about the whereabouts of the escapees can contact CRIME STOP at 08600 10111 or Philippi-East SAPS at 021 370 1900.
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