A massive search is under way for five armed convicts who escaped from Westville Medium B prison outside Durban on Monday morning, police said.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Vish Naidoo said the prisoners had broken out of their cells, overpowered three guards and held a fourth guard hostage while stripping them of their uniforms.
The men then ran outside firing randomly. At the inner gate they hijacked a social worker entering the premises in a maroon Toyota Corolla. They escaped and the woman was later found in Westville and was taken to hospital. She was subsequently discharged.
Naidoo said one of the men was serving life plus 30 years, and another one life plus 60 years. The others were all serving sentences of 25 years and more for murder, attempted murder and armed robbery.
Naidoo said police had now extended their search throughout the province. Naidoo said an investigation would also be conducted into how the escapees acquired their firearm. – Sapa