The FF Plus today asked the Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Vusi Shongwe, to explain the circumstances surrounding the escape of nine prisoners awaiting trial from police custody in Badplaas/eManzana.
The nine prisoners were being detained at the police station in the Albert Luthuli Local Municipality (Carolina, Ekulindeni, Empuluzi, eManzana) on various charges, including murder.
The suspects reportedly made a hole in the roof last week, without being detected, and then tied blankets together to form a rope which they used to escape. One fugitive has since been apprehended, but the other eight are still at large.
This escape follows close on the heels of another incident in April when a prisoner escaped from the Barberton prison.
It is alarming that these escape attempts are successful.
The FF Plus wants to know what measures have been put in place to prevent it.
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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