Thirteen policemen were arrested in connection with the escape of eight awaiting-trial prisoners from the high court in Johannesburg on Thursday, Gauteng police said on Friday.
The arrest of the officers comes after investigations into possible misconduct, gross negligence and aiding prisoners to escape, Colonel Noxolo Kweza said.
The prisoners escaped from the court’s basement just after their arrival at 7.45am, but police managed to re-arrest seven of them almost immediately in a dramatically charged incident outside the court.
One of them managed to escape and he was still being sought.
The prisoners, facing serious crime charges that included murder and robbery, were brought to court from Johannesburg prison in Naturena. — Sapa