Photos: South African Police launch manhunt for 20 escaped prisoners

Gauteng police, South Africa have launched a manhunt for 20 trial awaiting prisoners who escaped while being transported to the Johannesburg prison‚ known as Sun City.

The prisoners were beings transported from the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Tuesday afternoon.

According to a statement issued by Colonel Lungelo Dlamini‚ provincial spokesperson, one of the prisoners was already sentenced to 17 years imprisonment after he was convicted for an armed robbery.

“The prisoners escaped after a truck was ambushed at Pat Mbatha Road near South Gate train station by a group of men armed with rifles. A truck door lock was broken before the prisoners escaped.

“They were awaiting trial prisoners charged with various crimes including armed robbery‚ housebreaking and theft and possession of drugs. Police officers were not injured‚” Dlamini said.

Police are also appealing to anyone who might have information about the suspects who ambushed the truck and the whereabouts of the prisoners to contact their nearest police station. List of escaped suspects:

Moffatview CAS 366/08/2916 (Theft)
Roland Barnald, Hillbrow CAS 577/03/2016 (Robbery) Bongumusa Ngubane, Parkview CAS 197/02/2017
(House breaking) David Sithole & Innocent Masango, Sophiatown CAS 500/03/2017

(Robbery) Kingley Jooste,

Sophiatown CAS 508/09/2015 (Culpable homicide)

Mark Kappie Hunter, JHB central CAS 1369/01/2017 (Robbery)

Vincent Vardala & Justice Dlamini, JHB central CAS 571/06/2017

(Possession of drugs) MGaeya Mbwana & Ayubi Mahoro Ibrahim,

JHB central CAS 1403/09/2016

(Murder) Sabelo Mbajwa, Jeppe CAS 800/10/2015 (Murder) Jimmy Da Silva, Protea Glen CAS

149/01/2017 (Robbery) Nkosana Thotobolo & Mnyanezeni Shabangu, Cleveland CAS 149/12/2015 (Murder) Kebi Kodugure, Sandringham CAS 139/04/2017(H/breaking) Simthembile Mari. Sophiatown CAS 429/04/2017 (Attempted murder) Ginondine Sandel JHB central CAS 355/01/2017 (Robbery & poss of firearm) Michael Nkabinde – Sentenced today to 9 months imprisonment Booysens CAS 70/11/2011(Robbery & poss) Sentenced today 17 years imprisonment Mpho Chipo.