Minister of Correctional Services, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has noted the escape of eight (8) awaiting trial detainees from the Durban Westville Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal this morning.
A preliminary investigation into the escape by the Awaiting Trial Detentions’ (ATD) points to clear signs of collusion with some officials at the facility.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula is currently consulting her Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster colleagues, Ministers Nathi Mthethwa and Siyabonga Cwele, with the view to put together a high-level team to investigate the escape.
The minister further expresses her concern about the continued practice of collusion between officials of the department and offenders and views such practices in a serious light.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula says no stone will be left unturned in the quest to get to the bottom of this incident and assures the public that those who have aided the awaiting trial detainees’ escape will face the full might of the law.
The public is also warned not to try to apprehend the escapees as they are considered extremely dangerous but should rather alert the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 10111.
Details of the escapees’ profile and pictures will be released soon.
Enquiries:
Sonwabo Mbananga
Tel: 012 305 8850
Cell: 082 045 3963
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
22 February 2010
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za/)
