Five awaiting trial detainees have escaped from the Zeerust police station holding cell after allegedly overpowering a police officer, taking the cell keys and fleeing.
The escapers, Joshua Sibanda, 39, Amogelang Motsiane, 36, Tshepiso Kwenampe, 22, Bengu Hlanganane, 31, and Enoch Lebeloane, 46, made their getaway at 10.30am on Sunday, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
The men’s crimes vary from house robbery to rape, and Mokgwabone said that the police have begun a manhunt for the escapers.
“None of the escapees has been rearrested and members of the community are urged not to attempt to rearrest the escapees in case they see them, but to call the nearest police station, as they (escapees) are presumed to be dangerous. Alternatively, the investigating officer, Captain Basimane Molefe, can be contacted on 076 510 8285. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via MySAPS App or by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” said Mokgwabone.
Earlier this year, another five prisoners escaped the Lichtenburg holding cells, also in the North West, and only two were recaptured.
Meanwhile, the DA in Limpopo is concerned about the rate of people escaping holding cells in the province.
The party said writing to national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, he indicated that during the last five years 230 people escaped from holding cells, the highest nationally.
Twenty-four escaped from police vehicles and 176 escaped from physical detention.
Of the 430 escapers, 321 were rearrested.
DA provincial spokesperson on Transport and Community Safety Katlego Suzan Phala said that the party found it unacceptable that over five years, only 40 police officers were charged for negligence in the 430 incidents.
She said that in the Free State there were 179 escapes over the same period and 147 officers were charged with negligence.
Phala said that the inefficacy of the SAPS to secure prisoners and prisoners awaiting trial during their incarceration in police cells and the transportation to and from court was putting ordinary citizens at great risk.