Two still at large following five-man escape from Athlone Magistrates’ Court, raising the question of whether there are enough resources at the courts

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  • The brazen escape of five suspects fro Athlone Magistrates’ Court has called into question resources.
  • Three escapees have been re-arrested and appeared in court on Monday, 16 October, on charges relating to the escape.
  • Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen says the escape and capture of these prisoners is “deeply concerning”.

The brazen escape of five suspects from the holding cells at Athlone Magistrates’ Court has called into question resources.

On Wednesday 11 October, the Anti-gang Unit lead the charge in a manhunt for suspects who had fled on foot.

While three escapees have been re-arrested and appeared in court yesterday (16 October) on charges relating to the escape, by the time of going to print two remained at large.

Provincial police spokesperson Lt Col Malcolm Pojie said the awaiting-trial-prisoners were about to be transported to a correctional holding facility after court appearances earlier that day.

The incident occurred around 13:45.

“Preliminary investigation suggests detainees overpowered one of the police officers and disarmed him,” Pojie said in a statement.

Several shots were fired in the direction of the police officers but no-one was hit or wounded. Afterwards the escapees aged between 20 and 33 fled the scene on foot.

Initially it was believed six suspects had escaped but it was later determined only five following a headcount, according to Pojie. By Thursday two of the suspects had been re-arrested.

The five suspects stand accused of serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, assault and robberies with aggravated circumstances.

These charges will now also include escape from lawful custody, attempted murder and robbery of a firearm.

These cases have been registered at Athlone Police Station and will be probed by provincial police detectives.

Also read: Manhunt continues for three of five Athlone court escapees, with two back in custody

The Athlone Magisterial District includes Philippi, Gugulethu, Crossroads, Athlone and Nyanga, among other areas.

While People’s Post attempted to establish the crimes, names and locations of the two previously re-arrested suspects, police had not released this information.

On Thursday, the three remaining prisoners were identified as Khuma Ningo, Vuyani Bonkolo and Khaya Supulana all from the Gugulethu area. However, Ningo was rearrested the next day.

Interim District Community Policing Forum chair for the Cape Metro Rafique Floflonker said the brazen escape was alarming. “The big question that we have is: do they have enough police resources at the courts to facilitate the movement of such high-level prisoners,” he says.

He added this question had been raised not only about Athlone Magistrates’ Court, but Wynberg as well, where a witness was recently killed outside the court building in May.

“The Cape Metro district CPF has expressed their concern to the provincial commissioner regarding the number of resources allocated to the courts regarding the levels of criminality they have,” he says.

Regardless of the kinds of crime, he believes these resources should be bolstered.

“There are not only people attending cases, there are witnesses coming to see prosecutors and testifying and moving through the courts. It is not only about the kinds of crime,” he says.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen says the escape and capture of these prisoners is “deeply concerning”.

“It has to be established how these accused managed this, 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,” he says.

Police are calling on the public not to approach the suspects, who should be considered armed and dangerous.

The public is advised to report any suspicious-looking person and/or the whereabouts of these escapees to the nearest police station or CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or to investigating officer Capt Jacques Cussel on 079 894 1637.

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