Manhunt for Sun City escapees
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that 16 detainees escaped from the Johannesburg Correctional Centre on Monday morning.
The prison, also known as Sun City, is one of the correctional centres housing some of the most dangerous criminals in the country.
The department has called for help in the search for the 16 escapees but warns that members of the public "should not try to apprehend them".
The department's Singabakho Nxumalo says the convicted criminals managed to escape by breaking through a window, barricades and a wall at the prison around 3am on Monday morning.
"They broke the widow and used an object to break the wall then proceeded to the fence. We have launched a manhunt working together with the SAPS and we will push to make sure that all 16 return."
According to Nxumalo, authorities will soon release identikits.
"We will be releasing their names and identities to the public and we urge the public to assist in reporting those, but should not try to apprehend them."