Manhunt launched for dangerous prisoners on the loose in EC

The police have launched a manhunt after eight prisoners escaped from holding cells in eMaXesibeni police station on Saturday evening.

Eastern Cape police also made it known that the escaped prisoners are very dangerous.

On Monday morning, the provincial police spokesperson, Brig Tembinkosi Kinana, said the prisoners were awaiting trial for serious offences including murder and rape.

“The police heard a big knock from the cells and, as they responded to it, they found one prisoner who reported that prisoners had escaped from the other cells.”

“On inspection of the cells, the police discovered that iron bars and windows from the cell were damaged and eight awaiting trial prisoners had already escaped,” said Kinana.

He said the escape is being investigated by a task team that was put together by police commissioner Lt-Gen Liziwe Ntshinga.

He added that an internal investigation will be carried out to find out the circumstances that aided the escape and the possibility of it being a result of negligence on the officers on duty.

“Members of the community are requested not to attempt to arrest the suspects but alert the police should they identify one of them.”

“The prisoners are believed to be very dangerous to society as they have committed serious offences ranging from murder to rape and robbery,” Kinana said.

He appealed to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to inform the nearest police station or call the Crime Stop number 08600 10 111.