Manhunt launched for escaped prisoners

The inmates allegedly opened fire at police officers who tried to apprehend them, Northern Natal Courier reported.

According to unconfirmed reports, the inmates allegedly also used a woman as a human shield before fleeing in a waiting vehicle.

It is believed they are currently headed towards Madadeni in Newcastle.

Police could not be reached for comment.

Earlier this month, nine awaiting trial prisoners escaped from a police station in Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape, reportedly during a period of load shedding.

A manhunt was launched, where four of the nine escapees were rearrested.

Three of the suspects among the escapees were reportedly accused of murder, while five were accused of housebreaking, and one was accused of robbery.

Police added load shedding and police negligence may have been the cause of the suspects’ escape.

In October last year, a group of 16 prisoners escaped from the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Courtwhile they were being transported to prison.

The escape came after a group of gunmen allegedly ambushed a police truck transporting 28 prisoners from the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court to New Lock Prison.

The 16 escapees were later rearrested.

– Caxton News Service