South African police on Friday launched a massive manhunt following an escape by an unknown number of prisoners, who were awaiting trial, in Malmesbury town in Western Cape Province.
“Police from Malmesbury and neighbouring police stations on the West Coast with officials from the Department of Correctional Services have launched an extensive search for awaiting-trial prisoners who escaped from the Malmesbury on Friday afternoon,” a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
The SAPS said that “several” escapees had been re-arrested by a search party comprising of detectives, on foot and in vehicles.
“As the search intensifies additional support will be summoned.”
The statement did not say how many prisoners escaped but added that an investigation was underway to determine how they escaped.
The SAPS warned the public to exercise caution and not to try and directly engage the prisoners but to instead contact the authorities.
“Members of the public are advised not try to apprehend the escapees…,” the statement said.
