NINE suspects are running free today after holding cells were plunged into darkness due to an Eskom power failure.
They were among 12 remand prisoners at the Jan Kempdorp cop shop in Northern Cape on Sunday.
Cops say they think the men used something sharp to cut through the mesh in a recreational area during the power failure.
Brigadier Masebueng Mochologi-Maleeme said the men’s alleged crimes included murder and robbery.
They were found to be missing when power was restored two hours later.
Now cops are looking for Antonie Seipubi (murder and robbery); Joel Mokomela and Joseph Gras (murder); Vincent Moitse (robbery); and Mosimane Mogakwe, Irvin Pampier, Katlego Mooki, Sivile Rona and Bradley Davids (housebreaking).
“On Sunday our police station experienced a two-hour load shedding,” said the brigadier.
The prisoners in the dark holding cells were moved to the recreational site.
“We suspect they used a sharp object to cut mesh during the load shedding.
“There was neglect and we are busy with internal investigations with the staff that were on duty.
“Police are investigating a case of escaping from lawful custody.
“We cannot tolerate that and the tracking team is on top of the matter,” Mochologi-Maleeme said.
“We are appealing to the community to assist in tracing them.”
But the brigadier warned that people who spotted the runaways should not approach them because they could be dangerous.
Instead they should call the local police station on 053-456-5602/03, the detective commander at Jan Kempdorp or Captain Reuben Masire on 082-495-4644.
Alternatively, they could contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or SMS the Crime Line on 32211.
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| LOAD SHEDDING PRISON ESCAPE! Escapees seize the moment during outage |
Cops say they think the men used something sharp to cut through the mesh in a recreational area during the power failure.
Brigadier Masebueng Mochologi-Maleeme said the men’s alleged crimes included murder and robbery.
They were found to be missing when power was restored two hours later.
Now cops are looking for Antonie Seipubi (murder and robbery); Joel Mokomela and Joseph Gras (murder); Vincent Moitse (robbery); and Mosimane Mogakwe, Irvin Pampier, Katlego Mooki, Sivile Rona and Bradley Davids (housebreaking).
“On Sunday our police station experienced a two-hour load shedding,” said the brigadier.
The prisoners in the dark holding cells were moved to the recreational site.
“We suspect they used a sharp object to cut mesh during the load shedding.
“There was neglect and we are busy with internal investigations with the staff that were on duty.
“Police are investigating a case of escaping from lawful custody.
“We cannot tolerate that and the tracking team is on top of the matter,” Mochologi-Maleeme said.
“We are appealing to the community to assist in tracing them.”
But the brigadier warned that people who spotted the runaways should not approach them because they could be dangerous.
 |
| LOAD SHEDDING PRISON ESCAPE! Escapees seize the moment during outage |
Alternatively, they could contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or SMS the Crime Line on 32211.
