Pretoria - A manhunt has been launched to find an awaiting trial prisoner who escaped from the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court holding cells, Gauteng police said on Thursday.
Spokesman Liuetenant Lungelo Dlamini said police discovered that Frans “Funky” Rabothata was not in the cells during a roll- call.
“It is alleged that police officers working at the court cells discovered that the suspect had escaped when they were busy with a roll-call for the suspects who were to be taken to Correctional Services for detention,” said Dlamini.
“In the meantime an internal inquiry as well as a criminal investigation are being conducted. Should police officers be found to be negligent, disciplinary steps will be taken against them.”
Rabothata was on trial for theft when he escaped on Wednesday. Dlamini said Rabothata had another case of theft pending at the Rietgat police station.
ANA