Convicted murderer and rapist Thulani Gcaleka has been rearrested following his escape from custody just over a month ago.
According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Gcaleka was rearrested in Gauteng during the early hours of Tuesday after escaping from the Sevontein Correctional Centre, under the Pietermaritzburg Management Area in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The National Commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, established a dedicated Track and Tracing Team within his office to focus on high-profile and high-risk escapees.
“This specialised team works to augment and support existing regional capabilities, ensuring a coordinated and intensified response to such incidents. The rearrest of offender Gcaleka is a direct result of these strengthened efforts,” the department said.
The offender escaped while he was part of a cleaning work team assigned to duties at the prison farm.
He is serving a life sentence for attempted murder, attempted rape, rape, common robbery and housebreaking with the intent to commit an offence.
“The department reiterates that escaping from lawful custody is a serious offence and will not be tolerated. Escapees pose a significant risk to public safety, and the department remains resolute in ensuring that all those who evade custody are swiftly traced and returned.
“Offender Gcaleka will face additional criminal charges arising from his escape from lawful custody. Internally, he will be reclassified to a higher security category and transferred to a maximum-security correctional facility,” the DCS added.
Following the escape, DCS announced that an internal investigation was underway to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.
“[Now], the Department confirms that disciplinary processes related to the circumstances surrounding the escape are ongoing, to ensure that appropriate action is taken against those found to have been negligent or complicit,” the DCS stated. – SAnews.gov.za
