KZN prison break: These are the 15 suspects running from police [pictures]

Thubelihle Dlomo, 19, who was one of 16 awaiting trial prisoners that escaped from the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday, was nabbed by police on Friday morning, 30 April, in KwaDukuza.

Provincial police is appealing to the public to help track down the remaining suspects who ran off when a transportation truck on the way to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court was intercepted by five heavily armed men on Wednesday.

SIXTEEN OUT OF 31 PRISONERS REARRESTED BY KZN POLICE AFTER PRISON BREAK

Dhlomo was one of five prisoners awaiting trial for murder that were being transported to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday when armed gunmen forced the prisoner transport vehicle off the road.

The gunmen brandished weapons at the two police officers on duty – who were slightly injured when the vehicle hit the pavement – while one of the men cut the locks at the back of the truck with a bolt cutter.

“Some of the prisoners remained in the vehicle whilst others handed themselves over to the police at various locations in Pietermaritzburg and others were found by police in the city,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker on Thursday.

“By late yesterday afternoon, 27 of the 45 prisoners were back in police custody whilst 18 were confirmed to be on the run,” added Naicker.

Two more prisoners were arrested on Thursday morning and Dhlomo’s arrest on Friday brings the total number of prisoners still on the run to 15.

On Friday, Naicker said that the manhunt for the escapees is continuing in earnest. KZN SAPS dispatched specialised multidisciplinary teams to “hunt down those that are on the run.”

KZN Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi visited the scene and said the prisoner escape is being investigated and from an internal and external perspective.

“Whilst our efforts are focussed on hunting down these escapees, the escaping is being investigated from a criminal perspective and from an internal standpoint,” said Mkhwanazi.

RECOGNISE THESE FACES? THE 15 SUSPECTS STILL AT LARGE ARE:

Mlungisi Mncwabe, 43 – Attempted Murder (no picture).

“Anyone who may have information on their whereabouts is requested to contact Brigadier Hlongwane 079 684 9114 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” said Naicker.