SAPS must probe police station escape, says court

The SAPS district commander has been called on to probe KwaMsane Police Station after an awaiting-trial prisoner escaped from the holding cells in February, allegedly with the assistance of a policeman.

Sabelo Gumede, who was awaiting trial for murder, attempted murder and robbery, has since been rearrested and sentenced to 36 months for his escape.

During the trial, the presiding officer of the court said the escape indicated things were ‘not in order’ at the station, also calling for the district commander to refer the judgment and recommendation to the provincial commissioner for further investigation.

Other concerns included the loss of the occurrence book – an important register used at a police station; the failure by officers to execute their duties; no record of detainees in each cell; no searches conducted in the cells, and the station’s halting of hourly cell inspections from 10pm.

The presiding officer said this made the station vulnerable to the ‘well planned’ escape carried out by Gumede and two other inmates.

The escape

Gumede alleges that an officer stationed at KwaMsane Police Station had, following his plea, offered to help him for R10 000.

The court heard that the police officer allegedly gave Gumede a new cellphone, a charger, a sim card and R12 airtime to contact relatives to secure the bribe money.

Gumede further alleged that once he had R5 000, the officer handed him saws wrapped in plastic on 23 February, which he used to saw the metal grills and iron bars on the roof of the holding cells, allowing him to escape on 26 February.

The presiding officer applauded the State witnesses – SAPS members who were on duty during Gumede’s time at the holding cells until his escape – and the accused for giving credible testimony.

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