High drama in court escapes

Chaos erupted at the Mthatha High Court when awaiting-trial-prisoner Luthando Mndayi, of Payne Farms village, near Mthatha, attempted to escape after first stabbing a policeman on Monday.

He was shot dead while trying to attack another officer, said Mthatha cluster police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela yesterday.

In Mdantsane, two awaiting-trial prisoners Thabani Mkhokheli, 30, and Lulekani Somtsora, 25, escaped from the Regional Court holding cells yesterday after their lawyer left them unattended after finishing consulting with them.

National prosecuting authority spokesman Tshepo Ndwalaza said their attorney had to rush to another case and the prisoners, facing charges of armed robbery, were left with no guards.

For the full story get a copy of the Dispatch or subscribe to our e-Edition for the complete newspaper with jobs, classifieds, crosswords, TV schedules and back editions.