Ndudi Anyim
Police in Kwazulu-Natal Province have intensified efforts to arrest 16 fleeing awaiting trial inmates, who escaped in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal Province on Wednesday.
The wanted inmates are said to be part of a group of 45 awaiting trial inmates, who were being transported from Prison to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court when armed gunmen forced the prisoner transport vehicle off the road.
Security Watch Africa gathered that two Policemen who sat in front of the truck were injured slightly when the vehicle hit the pavement after being forced off the road.
It was gathered that five heavily armed men travelling in a double cab bakkie pointed firearms at the Police officers whilst one of the men used a bolt cutter to cut the locks on the back of the vehicle.
A reliable source at the South African Police Service in Kwazulu-Natal Province revealed that while some of the Prisoners remained in the vehicle, others handed themselves over to Police at various locations in Pietermaritzburg and others were found by Police in the city.
“By late yesterday afternoon, 27 of the 45 prisoners were back in Police custody whilst 18 were confirmed to be on the run. This morning, two more were rearrested bringing the total on the run to 16.
“Those who are on the run are; Siphelele Chamane, 28, Murder; Mbukiseni Ndlovu, 38, Murder; Mpho Phalo, 31, Murder; Mphali Khanyiso Kou, 30, Murder; Thubelihle Dlomo, 19, Murder; Sphelele Ntsuntsu Mkhize, 35, Armed Robbery/Rape; Kabelo Mtisilwane, 27, Robbery; Wiseman Shezi, 26, Robbery; Talent Mncube, 19, Assault/GBH; Mlungisi Caster Ndlovu, 25, Theft; Skhumbuzo Ngcob, 36, Theft of motor vehicle; Sbonelo Bhengu, 31, Malicious damage to property; Fonane Paulo Pone, 31, Immigration act; Frank Lutchman, 23, Immigration act; George Paul, 29, Immigration act; and Mlungisi Mncwabe, 43, Attempted murder” the source stated.
It was further gathered that specialised multidisciplinary teams have been assembled to hunt down those that are on the run.
“These teams will work incessantly until they arrest those that they were tasked to hunt down. No effort is being spared as the teams have been bolstered with the necessary resources and expertise to fulfil their mission,” the source added.