Johannesburg - Three police officers from the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court are currently under investigation following the escape of seven awaiting trial prisoners earlier this month, Gauteng police said on Tuesday.
“Three police officers are being investigated in relation to the escape but they haven’t been charged,” spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dlamini said.
He said that although no charges have been formerly laid against the officers, an internal investigation was being conducted to establish if they had aided the prisoners in their escape.
At the time the prisoners were appearing in court to face separate charges relating to repeated counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking and theft. The cases were committed in Lenasia, Eldorado Park and Ennerdale.
The awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from police custody at around 4pm on June 8 and all have have been recaptured except two who were currently still at large. Investigations were continuing, Dlamini said.
“Because they were awaiting trial for different cases, we don’t consider the two prisoners to be together,” said Dlamini.
Three of the suspects, Mpho Ramotsole, Luvesh Veerasamy and Brendon Paul, were re-arrested on June 9. Ramotsole was found in Ennerdale while Veerasamy and Paul were found at their respected residences in Lenasia South. Johnson Leroy was located and rearrested in Eldorado Park on June 17 and Romeo Beukes was pointed out by members of the Eldorado Park community and subsequently rearrested on June 22. Dumisani Selepe and Thabiso Sebelwane remain at large.
Dlamini has warned the public not to confront the two suspects but rather to contact the police immediately. A team of detectives and crime intelligence officers have been deployed to recapture the men.
He stated that any officer involved with the escape would face criminal charges as well as disciplinary actions that may result in being discharged from the police service.
ANA