Two prisoners died in nine-hour hostage drama at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) condemned the ”tragic” incident in which a police orderly was overpowered and disarmed by four prisoners.
The orderly was fetching awaiting trial prisoners from the holding cells when the man struck.
”We are calling on all members, unionised or not, to remain vigilant. Criminals are prepared to use any means possible to achieve their aims,” said Popcru spokesperson Benzi Soko
Chaos erupted at the court at 2.30pm, said Captain Eddie Hall.
”We had just reconvened after lunchtime … We heard people running and shouting outside,” he said.
He went to investigate and heard someone yell that an inmate had taken a policeman’s gun.
The building was then evacuated and hordes of bystanders crowded on to the pavements outside the court.
All streets leading to and from the building were closed to traffic.
Hall said it appeared that four men awaiting trial for alleged murder, robbery and possession of illegal firearms, were behind the jailbreak.
They struck shortly after being returned to the holding cells. Armed with the policeman’s gun, one of the prisoners held 28 fellow inmates at gunpoint.
”The task force was called in and negotiators were brought in,” said Hall.
About four hours into the stand-off, the men released 13 of their hostages. Then, about 30 minutes later, a shot rang out. The man with the gun then demanded food from the police, and said he was tired and wanted to go to sleep.
Three loud bangs rang out at 11.30pm — the special task force had stormed the cells.
After using a stun grenade to immobilise the gunman, they shot and killed him.
”… We had to take the next step,” said Hall.
By then, the crowd had dissipated and only paramedics, journalists and bystanders were watching from the deserted streets outside the court. Police officers then carried the bodies of the hostage-taker and his dead captive from the underground cells.
It was not known why the hostage was shot, Hall said. – Sapa