/ 7 March 2007

Parliament rejects Mathe report

The correctional services committee in Parliament on Tuesday rejected a report on the escape of Annanias Mathe from Pretoria’s C-Max prison.

The report found that Mathe had probably escaped by squeezing himself through a tiny window and then walked over the roof of the maximum-security prison.

The portfolio committee said the task team’s report had failed to explain the mystery surrounding the Mozambican’s escape.

African National Congress MP Nkosi Xolo said the report left a lot to be desired as it did not provide answers.

The task team, comprising investigators from the correctional services department, the National Intelligence Agency and the police, could not find evidence suggesting that Mathe was actively assisted by prison officials during his escape last year.

”How could he have escaped through such a small window? The task team’s report leaves us with more questions than answers. An independent task team headed by a retired judge should be appointed to re-investigate this matter,” Xolo said.

Democratic Alliance MP James Self said South Africans would never know how Mathe managed to escape unless criminal charges were brought against prison officials.

”After the investigating team briefed us, the mystery surrounding Mathe’s escape still remains.

”Unless people were criminally charged and brought before a court of law, the story surrounding Mathe’s escape will remain a mystery,” he said.

Inkatha Freedom Party MP Sybil Seaton called for criminal charges to be brought against those who were on duty when Mathe escaped.

Mathe escaped from C-Max on November 18. – Sapa