A manhunt is underway for a prisoner who escaped from the Kalafong hospital, west of Pretoria on Thursday morning, the department of correctional services said.
Nhlanhla Manda, 27, was admitted to the hospital in Atteridgeville on Wednesday for an ear operation on Thursday.
Wolela said the two correctional officers guarding him had uncuffed his hands and leg irons when he asked to go to the bathroom. He escaped through a bathroom window.
Manda's has been serving a life sentence at Zonderwater prison since 2007 for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Wolela said the escape was being investigated and that the two officials had been served with letters of intent to suspend them.
They could face charges of gross negligence and dereliction of responsibility.
The National Commissioner of Correctional Services Tom Moyane appealed to the public to help bring what he referred to as a “dangerous offender” back into custody. -
Sapa