Two more people have been taken in for questioning after two prisoners escaped from the Middledrift maximum security prison on Tuesday morning, the Eastern Cape correctional services department said.
”The two prisoners are still at large but we managed to get two other accomplices,” Luphumzo Kebeni said.
Authorities have also reviewed the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage which implicated four correctional officers.
”The footage revealed that four of our members helped the two prisoners to escape and they will soon be suspended pending investigations,” Kebeni said.
He could not divulge details on how the four officers helped Pakamisa Myoli (41) and Thanduxolo Jayiya (32) escape ‒- although he earlier indicated that the department suspected the firearms used by the two were smuggled in by their officers.
”This is a very sensitive matter and we cannot say much at this stage. The department has introduced a comprehensive security management system to curb or reduce prison escapes and this has been very successful so far. It is against the backdrop of this success that we will definitely not tolerate these acts that aim to tarnish our image,” Kebeni said.
Myoli and Jayiya, who were both serving life terms for murder and robbery, held a correctional services officer hostage on Tuesday morning before taking the keys from him and opening their cells.
”This shows it was a systematically planned escape because the CCTV monitors indicated that the men had firearms beforehand. They held Mr Vusumzi Deli hostage and managed to get hold of the keys that were hanging from him. They then opened their cells and proceeded through the prison gates to a getaway car,” Kebeni said.
He said the suspected owner of the red Toyota Corolla used by the two prisoners and another car owner believed to be a wife to one of the prisoners were being held for questioning.
”In total, four people, apart from our members, have been apprehended for helping the two prisoners escape,” Kebeni said.
He warned the public not to confront Myoli and Jayiya as they were considered to be very aggressive and dangerous. – Sapa