Two reportedly dangerous convicts are at large after the first escape from a privately-managed prison in South Africa on Wednesday.
The prisoners made their daring escape around 1pm while working out in the gym of the Maung Maximum Correctional Facility near Bloemfontein, Department of Correctional Services spokesman Russel Mamabolo told Sapa.
Sipho Ngomane (24) Amos Matonsi (45) and a third man jumped the gym fence and ran towards the main perimeter fence. Using blankets to cover the electrified and barbed wire, Ngomane and Matonsi scaled the fence and got into a car that was waiting for them on the adjacent public road.
The third man was rearrested by prison authorities as he tried to get over the fence.
Police and prison officials had launched a manhunt for Ngomane and Matonsi, Mamabolo said.
Ngomane was serving three life sentences for murder, robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and Matonsi was serving an 86-year-sentence for robbery, six counts of attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Both men were regarded as dangerous. Members of the public who had information about the pair’s whereabouts were asked to contact their nearest police station. Ngomane and Matonsi are both Swazi-born.
Mamabolo said his department would conduct a thorough investigation into the escape and expected a full report from the management company that runs Maung Maximum, Group Four. The escape was the first from a private prison since the Department of Correctional Services introduced private facilities.
”In terms of their (Group Four’s) contract, they have to inform us in full of what has happened. Depending on what information we get … we will have to see how we deal with this,” Mamabolo said.
Maung Maximum is one of only two privately-managed correctional institutions in South Africa. The other is near Louis Trichardt in Limpopo. – Sapa