/ 8 August 2007

Officials suspended over prisoner escape

Eleven South African officials were suspended from office on Wednesday for allegedly helping 10 ”dangerous” inmates escape jail, officials said.

”The 11 officials of the Department of Correctional Services were suspended on Wednesday morning. They have been handed their letters of suspension,” department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said.

They are accused of ”collusion, negligence and unethical behaviour” in the escape of the prisoners from the Qalakabusha prison in KwaZulu-Natal province, the department said in a statement.

It did not give further details on the alleged collusion.

Three of the escapees have been re-arrested, Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour said.

”They are in chains and will appear in court before being sent to a place where they cannot escape,” he said.

The escapees were in jail for crimes including murder, robbery, rape and possession of firearms.

A multi-agency investigative team has been set up to probe the prisoners’ escape. — AFP

 

AFP