The FF Plus is demanding answers from Mpumalanga's MEC for Community Safety, Vusi Shongwe, regarding the circumstances surrounding the escape of 12 dangerous prisoners awaiting trial from police custody in Komatipoort.
The escapees faced charges of rape and armed robbery. They were being detained at the police station in the Nkomazi Local Municipality (Komatipoort, Malalane, Marloth Park).
A preliminary report brought to light that a brawl broke out between the police and prisoners in the detention cells, and that one police officer was injured in the fight. The escapees fled with two service pistols and ammunition.
Two of the escapees, 27 and 34 years old respectively, have since been apprehended at the Lebombo Border near Komatipoort when they presumably tried to cross the border to Mozambique.
This is the third escape of its kind in the province since April this year.
In April, one prisoner escaped from the Barberton prison, and nine escaped from police custody in Badplaas/eManzana in May.
It is alarming that these kinds of escapes are so prevalent.
The province is already plagued by high levels of crime, and incidents like these further erode the community's faith in the authorities.
The FF Plus wants to know what measures are in place to prevent this, and has arranged a meeting with the MEC to discuss the matter.
The MEC must explain whether the Department's management practices, and security systems are in place.
The FF Plus will apply pressure to ensure that any possible irregularities relating to the escape are brought to light.
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