Inmates stand behind bars in The Maximum Security Section, of The Leeuwkop Correctional Facility at Bryanston on October 30, 2018, during a media tour organised by the South African Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. (Photo by WIKUS DE WET / AFP)
All inmates that tried escaping from the Malmesbury Remand Detention Facility have been rearrested.
Chrispin Phiri, Correctional services Ministry spokesperson said to avoid future prison breaks, all facilities across the country will be assessed.
68 inmates – of which most of them are gang members – escaped from the prison on Friday.
Police arrested 65 inmates shortly after their escape, while two more were found and captured this weekend.
Ronald Lamola, Justice and Correctional Services Minister said that the escapees will be dealt with harshly.
Ronald visited the facility to get a first-hand report.
He said:
“The escapees overpowered the officials, took the keys and locked three of them in a cell and opened the other cells before escaping through the main entrance and over the roof.”
Before these inmates escaped, they raided the prison kiosk for supplies.
Lamola confirmed that nine warders were injured in the prison break and that counselling was provided to all members on duty as at that time.
“The department would want to condemn this reckless action by these offenders and would make sure that they are punished for their actions,” the minister said.
The incident is believed to be gang-related and appears to have been planned weeks ago.
Those who were re-arrested have been sent to other maximum-security prisons.
