Johannesburg - Gauteng police on Monday confirmed the arrest of two more prisoners who escaped during an ambush last week, bringing the tally of rearrested suspects to seven.
The two were part of a group of 20 inmates who escaped while being escorted to the Johannesburg Correctional Services from the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court last week Tuesday.
The suspects are facing alleged crimes ranging from murder, culpable homicide and robbery.
A source close to the investigation explained said a Mercedes-Benz ambushed the police truck along Pat Mbatha Road, near the Westgate BRT station, which is less than a kilometre from the court.
"A white Mercedes travelling in front of the prisoners' truck suddenly stopped. Three occupants jumped out and pointed rifles at the driver," said the source, who asked to remain anonymous.
“A third person proceeded to the rear of the truck with a bolt cutter and clipped off the lock. All three suspects wore balaclavas and gloves.”
READ MORE: Manhunt launched for 20 escaped prisoners
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that following the daring escape, a total of seven prisoners since been rearrested, with the sixth and seventh suspect being nabbed on Thursday and Friday respectively.
"Ginondine Sandel was arrested on Friday in Sophiatown; he was an awaiting trial prisoner on a Sophiatown murder case when he escaped with other 20 prisoners," Dlamini said.
Roland Barnard, meanwhile, was arrested on Thursday by Afriforum members.
Dlamini confirmed that police were still looking for the 13 remaining escapees and were "still following several leads to arrest other prisoners.
"Through information and assistance from the members of the public, police are confident that all the escapees will be arrested soon," he said.