Cape Town - Embarrassed police have launched a manhunt for five men who escaped from police custody in Mitchell’s Plain.
It is believed the suspects, allegedly notorious gangsters, escaped during lunchtime after a police officer accidentally dropped the keys to the holding cells at the Lentegeur police station.
The suspects escaped before they could be processed on Saturday afternoon.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said the men, aged between 21 and 33, are wanted for possession of drugs, business robbery, robbery with a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle.
They were due to make an appearance at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and cannot be identified yet for legal reasons.
Mitchell’s Plain police have now called in a special tracing team to hunt them down.
A 27-year-old witness from Lentegeur blamed negligent cops.
“This is the police’s fault... we were there,” said the man, who asked not be identified.
“[The suspects] were just dropped and not signed in yet.
“The policeman told them they must wait. He is a sergeant.
“He shouted to his colleague to open up and when the colleague threw the keys to him, it fell on the ground.
“This sergeant bent down to the ground to pick up the keys.
“This was when four [of the suspects] jumped over a wall, while one went through the main gate.
“Most of these guys are Americans and some are Fancy Boys.”
Major General Greg Goss said that the escape took place while prisoners were being fed their lunch.
“They overpowered the cops whilst they were feeding them,” Goss said.
Michael Jacobs of the Mitchell’s Plain Cluster Board said a lot of questions will now be raised about security at the station, which opened in 2013.
“There are cameras all over and the highest of security, yet this happens,” said Jacobs.
Van Wyk has appealed to the public to assist police in tracing the suspects.
* Anyone with information about their whereabouts can contact Crime Stop on 086 001 0111.
Daily Voice