Pretoria – The sixth of the seven inmates, who escaped from the Groenpunt Correctional Centre in the early hours of last Thursday, has been re-arrested.
The seventh inmate Phillip Tivane, who is serving 35-years imprisonment for rape, is the only offender still on the run.
Last night, at approximately 19h05, Petros Kgatliso Mabela, who was sentenced to 24-years imprisonment for robbery, was arrested in Vosloorus, Gauteng.
Zandile Elvis Nkhabu, Teko Mphuthi, Kwazi Nkosi Ndlovu and Tfhediso Benjamin Mokoena were re-arrested last Friday in Deneysville in the Free State, and Majafe Celso Romao was arrested hours after the escape on his way to Sasolburg.
Acting National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Zachariya Modise, visited the Groenpunt Correctional Centre yesterday.
Commissioner Modise said these arrests were possible through sheer determination, and perseverance of the law enforcement officials.
“The fact that only one inmate is still on the run, following the escape of the seven inmates from the Groenpunt Correctional Centre last Thursday, bears testimony of the fact that these swift arrests were only made possible through the sheer determination, and perseverance, of our Correctional Officials, the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies.
“These officials have been working around-the-clock since the escape, in the early hours of last Thursday morning, and for this they must be praised. We are certain that they will not rest until the last offender is back behind bars.
“We are, again, appealing to members of the public not to approach this inmate should they encounter him, but to report to the nearest police station,” Modise said.
Modise said investigations on the matter is progressing well. He called upon any person who may have any information that will assist in the investigation to come forward.
“We will make sure that the culprits responsible for this escape, be it inmates, officials or any other person face the consequences of their actions.”
South Africa’s 243 correctional centres, which houses approximately 160 000 inmates, are safe and secure.
During the last financial year the percentage of escapes from correctional centres stood at 0.031%. – SAnews.gov.za
