[UPDATE] Majority of escaped Malmesbury prisoners back behind bars
Several awaiting trial prisoners escaped from the Malmesbury Correctional Centre in the Western Cape on Friday afternoon.
Prisoners escape Malmesbury. Some even hijacked a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/HqugqzLu5M
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 24, 2020
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa says a manhunt for the prisoners was launched.
By Friday night, 61 of the 69 prisoners had been re-arrested.
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"The search party including detectives, on foot and in vehicles, has covered much ground with the re-arrest of several escapees,” says Potelwa.
The escapees overpowered officials, took the keys and locked three officials in a cell and opened other cells before escaping through the main entrance and over the roof.
During the incident, nine officials sustained minor injuries and bruises.
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, is set to visit the prison on Saturday.
Some of the Malmesbury escapees have been recaptured. pic.twitter.com/Gmo9H3PviP
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 24, 2020