Question NW1523 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
07 June 2022 - NW1523
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With reference to reported escapes at the Barberton and Malmesbury Correctional Centres (Barberton escapes re-arrested, search for Malmersbury detainee continues” and detailed one prisoner convicted of” murder, rape, theft and robbery” who had been re-arrested, and other not yet rearrested, who “was awaiting trial for murder), what (a) total number of prisoners as at 30 April 2022 have escaped from detention facilities over the past five years and (b) crimes has each such escaped prisoner been (i) convicted and/or (ii) accused of; (2) What total number of prisoners as at 30 April 2022, (a) were re-arrested and/ or (b) remain at large; (3) What are the relevant details around the on-going search for the escapes?
Reply:
1. (a) a total of 285 inmates escaped from custody over the past six years (2017/2018 to 2022/2023 financial years). There was an average of 151 495 inmates in custody at any given time during the mentioned period. The escape rate can be averaged at forty eight (48) inmates per year. This translates to an average of 0.032% inmates escaping from custody per annum.
(b) Type of crimes committed by escapees over the past six financial years:
- Attempted murder
- Theft
- Armed Robbery
- Business Robbery
- Escape
- Robbery
- Robbery aggravating
- Housebreaking
- Housebreaking and theft
- Housebreaking with intent to rape
- House breaking with intent to commit robbery
- House Robbery
- Intercourse with a minor
- Kidnapping
- Possession of drugs
- Car theft
- Murder
- Murder and Robbery
- Malicious damage to property
- Attempted murder
- Dealing or smuggling of ammunition, firearms, explosives or armaments
- Assault common
- Assault with GBH
- Assault Serious
- Arson
- Stock theft
- Escape
- Rape
- Rape and kidnaping
- Attempted rape
- Robbery
- Illegal immigrant
- Indecent assault
- Intimidation and crimen injuria
- Possession of stolen property
- Possession of marijuana
- Pointing of a fire arm
- Stock Theft
- Suspected stolen goods
2. (a) (b) Total number of inmates who escaped, rearrested and/ or remain at large as at 30 April 2022.
Region |
Un-sentenced Escaped |
Total Re-Arrested |
Un-sentenced still at large |
Eastern Cape |
08 |
08 |
00 |
Gauteng |
28 |
13 |
15 |
Free State Northern Cape |
16 |
14 |
02 |
Western Cape |
82 |
80 |
02 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
11 |
10 |
01 |
Limpopo Mpumalanga North- West |
01 |
01 |
00 |
NATIONAL |
146 |
126 |
20 |
Total number of sentenced inmates who escaped, re-arrested and/ or are still at large.
Region |
Sentenced Escaped |
Total Re-Arrested |
Sentenced still at large |
Eastern Cape |
22 |
21 |
01 |
Gauteng |
26 |
13 |
13 |
Free State, Northern Cape |
20 |
17 |
03 |
Western Cape |
18 |
17 |
01 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
16 |
11 |
05 |
Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North – West |
37 |
21 |
16 |
NATIONAL |
139 |
100 |
39 |
4. Escapes are reported to the South African Police Services (SARS) and criminal cases are opened against the perpetrators. SARS track and tracing unit together with the DCS EST (Emergency Support Teams) conduct manhunt and search operations.
Due to the violent nature of most escapees. For all foreign national who escape, DCS and SAPS also engage with to the SADC countries law enforcement agencies.
END.