A major manhunt is now active in Cape Town following a brazen escape from the Wynberg Magistrates Court. Four prisoners awaiting trial managed to break free from the court’s holding cells, sparking an urgent police response and raising serious questions about security protocols within the justice system....Click to Read More >>➤

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident, revealing that a total of six detainees attempted to flee. Officers successfully re-captured two of the individuals, but four remain at large. Authorities have opened a case of escape from lawful custody and are pursuing all available leads to locate the fugitives.

Repeat Offender Evades Capture Again

Disturbingly, one of the escaped prisoners is a known repeat offender from the Hanover Park area. This individual has a history of escaping police custody, having previously fled from the Philippi police cells back in 2023. Due to this record and being deemed a high flight risk, he had been denied bail prior to this latest incident.

The escape has prompted immediate criticism from public officials. Nicholas Gotsell, a member of Parliament serving on the Select Committee on Security and Justice, pointed to a critical “lack of integration” between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Justice, and Correctional Services. He argued that the system’s heavy reliance on manual processes leaves it vulnerable to exploitation.

Gotsell highlighted a specific tactic used by detainees, where they sometimes swap identities with cellmates who are facing less serious charges. This is possible due to the absence of robust, interconnected biometric verification. He is now calling for urgent reforms, including the implementation of a secure, centralized biometric system to link all justice entities, which would help prevent identity fraud and the escape of high-risk individuals.

Public Urged to Remain Vigilant

In response to the security breach, police are urging residents, particularly those in the southern suburbs and Hanover Park, to remain extremely vigilant. The public is advised not to approach the escaped individuals but to report any suspicious activity or sightings immediately.

Anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of the prisoners is encouraged to contact the SAPS Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the MySAPS mobile application. The cooperation of the community is considered vital to the success of the ongoing search operation.

An internal investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances that allowed the prisoners to escape from the Wynberg Magistrates Court. Authorities are working to establish whether negligence or possible collusion played a role in the security failure. This event has also prompted civil society organizations to renew their calls for increased funding, rapid digitization, and stronger oversight of court holding facilities to prevent future occurrences. ...Click to Read More >>➤