Westville prison escapee, accused of theft, due in court
A suspect who escaped from Westville Prison on Monday is due in a Pinetown court today after he was re-captured.
The 22-year-old - who is accused of housebreaking and theft - escaped while construction work was taking place at the prison.
The police's Thulani Zwane says a case of escaping from lawful custody was opened.
"He was arrested yesterday by the Westville Correctional Services after the members received information about his whereabouts at the taxi rank. Members went to a Durban taxi rank - and that's where he was spotted and arrested."
The KZN MEC for Community Safety Mxolisi Kaunda has applauded the police for the arrest of the Westville prisoner - and of three other suspects who escaped from the uMbumbulu Magistrate's Court yesterday.
It's understood the three overpowered a police officer and stole his pistol.
Two of the escapees didn't make it over the court's fence and were back in custody within minutes.
A third suspect jumped into a car that had been waiting for him outside.
Police gave chase and apprehended the suspect and his accomplice - after a shoot-out ensued in uMlazi.
The accomplice was hurt and is in hospital under police guard.
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Community Safety spokesperson, Mluleki Mtungwa says the department will be working with police to look at how security at court premises can be beefed up.
"We would like commend the police for their sterling work. This is a clear demonstration that police are committed in protecting the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal. We have learnt that there is an investigation that is currently underway to establish how the incident occurred."
