| 2021/04/29 |
Media Statement DURBAN – Police operations to hunt down 16 awaiting trail prisoners who escaped in Pietermaritzburg yesterday are continuing. The group were part of 45 awaiting trial prisoners who were being transported from prison to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court when armed gunmen forced the prisoner transport vehicle off the road. The two police officers who were seated in the front of the truck were injured slightly when the vehicle hit the pavement after being forced off the road. Five heavily armed men travelling in a double cab bakkie pointed firearms at the police officers whilst one of the men use a bolt cutter to cut the locks on the back of the vehicle. Some of the prisoners remained in the vehicle whilst others handed themselves over to police at various locations in Pietermaritzburg and others were found by police in the city. By late yesterday afternoon, 27 of the 45 prisoners were back in police custody whilst 18 were confirmed to be on the run. This morning, two more were rearrested bringing the total on the run to 16. Those who are on the run are: Siphelele Chamane (28) – Murder Mbukiseni Ndlovu (38) – Murder Mpho Phalo (31) – Murder Mphali Khanyiso Kou (30) – Murder Thubelihle Dlomo (19) – Murder Sphelele Ntsuntsu Mkhize (35) – Robbery/Rape Kabelo Mtisilwane (27) – Robbery Wiseman Shezi (26) – Robbery Talent Mncube (19) – Assault GBH Mlungisi Caster Ndlovu (25) – Theft Skhumbuzo Ngcobo (36) – Theft of Motor Vehicle Sbonelo Bhengu (31) – Malicious Damage to Property Fonane Paulo Pone (31) – Immigration Act Frank Lutchman (23) – Immigration Act George Paul (29) – Immigration Act Mlungisi Mncwabe (43) – Attempted Murder Specialised multidisciplinary teams have been assembled to hunt down those that are on the run. These teams will work incessantly until they arrest those that they were tasked to hunt down. No effort is being spared as the teams have been bolstered with the necessary resources and expertise to full fill their mission. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has personally visited the scene of the escaping and has given specific tasking’s to senior officers from the Umgungundlovu District and Provincial Office. “Whilst our efforts are focussed on hunting down these escapees, the escaping is being investigated from a criminal perspective and from an internal standpoint,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. Ends
Enquiries:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService |
| Additional content: |