Klerksdorp - Nine prisoners have escaped from police custody in Klerksdorp, North West, police said on Thursday.
On Wednesday a policeman apparently opened the door of the holding cells to release a detainee who had paid bail, said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
“Several other detainees then attacked the police official and overpowered him.”
They took the keys from the official, opened the cell door and fled through the loading area, into the street.
One of them was caught by a policeman returning from his lunch-break.
The escaped men had been facing charges ranging from housebreaking and theft to robbery and car theft. - Sapa