Awaiting trial prisoners killed during scuffle

Police have registered two inquests and are investigating a case of robbery after two awaiting trial prisoners were killed during a scuffle with warders at the Thohoyandou High Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Provincial Police Communications Head, Motlafela Mojapelo indicated that the incident occurred at about 16:45 when the prisoners apparently attempted to escape while being escorted from the court holding cells.
The prisoners allegedly attacked one of the wardens and wrestled him for his R5 rifle. During the scuffle several shots were randomly fired and in the process the two prisoners were fatally hit.
The deceased were facing more than 90 charges ranging from murder and armed robbery to business and cash in transit-related robbery.
Mojapelo added that investigations into the circumstances of the shooting have already begun and were taken over by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
The names of the deceased will only be released once their next of kin have been notified.

Story: RC Myburgh
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