Four Drakenstein Correctional Centre officials are facing the axe over the daring escape of convicted murderer Landile Yeko from the facility earlier this year.
Among the charges against them include dereliction of duties, breaching of security measures, and poor or inadequate performance.
The charges showed one official had created a security safety risk by switching off office lights, creating darkness for Yeko’s escape from his single cell.
Other charges include failing to conduct regular visits to A-unit cells, and not being vigilant during the night.
One of them allegedly did not comply with the process of counting offenders in the morning.
He did not immediately establish that Yeko had escaped.
Another had failed to search a private vehicle at the main access gate when it left the premises at 2.06am.
Sources close to the investigation said 11 other officials, including seniors, were handed final written warnings.
Yeko, serving 25 years for murder, housebreaking and theft of a vehicle, made headlines in February when he escaped from his cell.
He used a hacksaw to saw through the bars of his cell's window.
Officials are still puzzled about how he managed to get the hacksaw.
A probe into how he got it was established.
He was caught and handed a six-month jail sentence for the prison break.
The Cape Times understands that Yeko has since been kept in a different prison and a disciplinary hearing was established against the four officials.
While the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Simphiwe Xako, only said they had launched an internal investigation into the matter, the source said the disciplinary hearing against the officials had concluded and the officials were waiting for the outcome.
One of the officials, who asked that his name be withheld, said: “I am waiting for the decision of the chairperson who headed the disciplinary hearing.
“These charges are unfair.
“We were asked to provide reasons for us not to be suspended.
“They did not see reasons to suspend us.”