Question NW3719 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services:
06 November 2015 - NW3719
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services:
Did a certain person (name furnished) escape from the Warm Bokkeveld Prison situated in Ceres, Western Cape, in September 2015, if so, (a) what were the circumstances surrounding the escape, (b) has an investigation into the escape been institueted and (c) what was the outcome of the investigation?
Reply:
Yes, he did escape from the Warmbokkeveld Correctional Centre on 11 September 2015.
(a) On Saturday morning, 12 September 2015, it was found that the head count of inmates at unlock did not rally with the lockup number. There was a discrepancy of one (1) inmate not accounted for. A roll call was conducted and it was noted that one unsentenced offender, admitted on Friday, 11 September 2015 was not in the Correctional Centre. The case was reported to the local South African Police Services (SAPS) and the offender was re-arrested by the SAPS within an hour of the report.
On further investigation it was established that the inmate had, upon admission, gone to the toilets located next to the doorway leading into and out of the building and close to the parked SAPS vehicle. The inmate then managed to slip through the door unnoticed and he hid himself in the undercarriage of a SAPS vehicle that later exited the centre.
(b) Yes, an investigation has been launched into the matter and the inmate has been charged for escaping from lawful custody and his next court appearance is on 09 November 2015 (SAPS Ceres Case Number 306/7/15)
(c) The internal investigation is still continuing and where needed, disciplinary action against Correctional Officials will be instituted.