The escape of prisoners and suspects from lawful custody is becoming a source of great concern among communities across South Africa, who are left with a growing sense of not feeling safe.
In mid-October this year, seven inmates escaped from the Grahamstown Correctional Facility in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape. On Saturday, 5 November, 12 prisoners disarmed police officers and escaped from police holding cells at the Komatipoort Police Station in Mpumalanga. On Wednesday, 2 November, three dangerous suspects escaped from the Tshamutumbu Police Station outside Musina after cutting a hole through the roof of their holding cell. After nearly a week, they have still not been recaptured.
Two of these escapees are awaiting-trial prisoners, Rulph Chemai (19) from Zimbabwe and Tshilidzi Nemalale (34) from the Vhembe District, who face charges of house robbery. The third prisoner is Caiphus Kwinda (45) from Zimbabwe, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday, 1 November, after being convicted of rape.
The Tshamutumbu police have since launched a massive manhunt to locate and recapture the fugitives, whom they confirmed to be still at large. Limpopo police spokesperson Col Mamphaswa Seabe said the circumstances surrounding their escape was subject to an investigation and that internal processes would be instituted to determine if any officers had colluded with the fugitives.
The police are appealing to the public to help them locate these escapees. Members of the community are, however, warned not to confront the prisoners, as they are considered to be dangerous, but to rather contact the nearest police station or urgently contact the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Colbert Ntshavheni, on 082 4141621, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or the MySAPSApp.