- Three of the five prisoners who escaped the Athlone Magistrates’ Court holding cells on Wednesday 11 October have been rearrested.
- The awaiting-trial prisoners escaped at 13:45 as they were about to be transported to a correctional holding facility.
- “This escape is deeply concerning as it has to be established how these accused managed this,” said Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen.
Three of the five prisoners who escaped the Athlone Magistrates’ Court holding cells on Wednesday 11 October have been rearrested, with two more still at large.
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen confirmed the third arrest, with police yet to release an updated statement.
“This escape is deeply concerning as it has to be established how these accused managed this,” he said, “and along with other possibilities if the relevant and necessary precautions were followed at the court to prevent it. Should any official have aided in this escape then they too should be held accountable. We cannot have these dangerous accused roaming our streets. They belong behind bars.”
Also read: Manhunt continues for three of five Athlone court escapees, with two back in custody
Provincial police spokesperson Lt Col Malcolm Pojie said the awaiting-trial prisoners escaped at 13:45 as they were about to be transported to a correctional holding facility.
It is believed the detainees overpowered one of the police officers and disarmed him. Shots were fired at police, but no injuries were sustained.
A first suspect was rearrested on Wednesday, with two more arrested up to this morning, Friday 13 October.
