Five prisoners still on the run
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
QUEENSTOWN – Five of nine awaiting-trial prisoners, who left behind a bloody trail as they stabbed and assaulted six police and prison officials during their escape from Dordrecht prison on Monday evening, were still on the run yesterday.
Four escapees were back in custody by yesterday afternoon.
The nine, brandishing knives, overpowered the correctional services members and policemen who were unlocking a cell at 5.30pm at the Dordrecht prison.
The policemen, all from Elliot, were assisting the Dordrecht prison staff to admit another awaiting-trial prisoner to the cell when they were attacked.
Provincial correctional services department spokesman Thembisa Spambo said yesterday the nine suspects fled through the main gate of the prison into nearby mountains in the direction of Transkei.
Two of them, Michael Tafeni and Nkosinathi Tafeni, were held in connection with the murder of former Maclear mayor Martie Scheppel on her farm on January 20 and the murders of Elliot farming couple, Kevin and Lou McGregor, on March 25.
A third, Xolile Thomas, was also held in connection with the Scheppel murder.
The other escapees are: Manzana Breakfast charged with murder and robbery; Simpiwe Mangela, Simpiwe Manakana and Vuyisile Diko, all charged with murder; Tobile Waluwake charged with rape; and Zamekile Mpathi charged with armed robbery.
Michael Tafeni and Breakfast were rearrested near the prison premises shortly after their escape, while Mangela and Diko were rearrested during the day yesterday.
Sergeant Kanyisile Hlazo was stabbed in the neck and back, Sgt Kayalethu Dwayinga in the shoulder and Sgt Vuyani Bhodlo’s left leg was broken.
Sgt Spambo confirmed that correctional services member Waldo Badenhorst was stabbed six times, and colleague Mabutana Prusenti was stabbed in the head.
Prison official Fezile Boniswa, who was manning the front gate, was cut on the hands.
Mr Badenhorst was in a stable condition in St Dominic’s Hospital in East London, while Mr Prusenti was due to be discharged from hospital today.
All the other injured were in a stable condition.
