Hunt for suspect who escaped from Phoenix police station cells

POLICE are hunting for an awaiting-trial prisoner who escaped from the Phoenix police station at the weekend.

KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said a case of escaping from lawful custody was being investigated.

Gwala said it was alleged that five awaiting-trial prisoners escaped at 8am on Saturday.

“Five awaiting trial prisoners escaped from lawful custody. Four were re-arrested and one is still at large,” she said.

In July, in an attempted escape incident, IOL reported that two Westville Correctional Centre officials were stabbed in an early morning attack.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the officers were stabbed during an altercation with remand detainees.

He said the incident was opportunistic, and the department would not tolerate such acts.