By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Authorities in South Africa’s Western Cape province have launched a search for six prisoners who escaped from the prison on the order of a magistrate court, inmates described as “dangerous”.
The prisoners, aged between 20 and 33, are “armed and dangerous”, authorities announced, saying one of the prisoners has been re-arrested.
The escaping inmates were waiting to be moved to a correctional detention facility after appearing in court earlier on Wednesday.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that the detainees overpowered one of the police officials and disarmed him. Several shots were fired in the direction of the police officials, but no-one was hit or wounded,” police spokesman Malcolm Pojie told South Africa’s News 24 outlet.
He added that the offenders escaped on foot.
The inmates were on trial for multiple serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and assault.
