Eastern Cape police are on the hunt for eight awaiting trial prisoners who escaped from Mount Ayliff police cells on Saturday night 22 August 2020, in the Alfred Nzo District.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the police heard a big knock from the police cells and as they responded to it, they found one prisoner who reported that prisoners had escaped from the other cells. On investigation and inspection of the cells, the police discovered that iron bars and windows from the cell were damaged and indeed about eight (8) awaiting trial prisoners had already escaped from lawful custody.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation by a Task Team which was assembled immediately after the incident and on the instruction of the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga, to track down the fleeing suspects. Meanwhile, a case of escaping from lawful custody has been opened against the escapees and an internal investigation will also be conducted to establish the possibility of negligence on the part of the members who were on duty at the time.
The male suspects were initially arrested for the following crimes and are:
Alungile Loni (21) Ntabankulu Robbery,
Mfundiso Nogwanya (22) Ntabankulu Rape,
Sipho Mdutyulwa (26) Ntabankulu House braking and theft,
John Themba Ndou (36) Mount Ayliff Rape,
Nathi Mavela (21) Ntabankulu Assault,
Lizwi Dawedi (21) Ntabankulu Murder,
Sipho Ndzelu (21) Mount Ayliff Robbery and
Abongile Mphandana (27) Ntabankulu Escaping.
The members of the community are requested not to attempt to arrest the suspects but alert the police should they identify one of them. The prisoners are believed to be very dangerous to the society as they have committed serious offences ranging from Murder, Rape and Robbery.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects is requested to inform the nearest police station or call the Crime Stop number 08600 10 111.
All information will be treated with strictest confidence.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
