A manhunt is under way in Pietermaritzburg, where 31 prisoners escaped on the way to court on Wednesday morning.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brig Jay Naicker said five gunmen in a double-cab bakkie blocked two police officers who had been transporting the prisoners from the New Prison to the Pietermaritzburg magistrate's court.
“The suspects pointed firearms at the police officers and forced open the rear of the truck. Thirty-one awaiting-trial prisoners escaped out of the 45 that were in the truck,” he said.
At least 20 prisoners on the run in KZN after gunmen intercept prison van
Senior reporter
Image: 123RF/ FERNANDO GREGORY MILAN
A manhunt is under way in Pietermaritzburg, where 31 prisoners escaped on the way to court on Wednesday morning.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brig Jay Naicker said five gunmen in a double-cab bakkie blocked two police officers who had been transporting the prisoners from the New Prison to the Pietermaritzburg magistrate's court.
“The suspects pointed firearms at the police officers and forced open the rear of the truck. Thirty-one awaiting-trial prisoners escaped out of the 45 that were in the truck,” he said.
Two dangerous prisoners escape from custody
By 10.20am, 23 prisoners were still on the run.
It is believed that at least six of the escapees handed themselves over to court officials.
This is a developing story.
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