At least 45 prisoners managed to escape after AK47-toting gunmen attacked a prison truck transferring inmates in South Africa. Several policemen were taken hostage.
Twenty-two prisoners are now back in custody, while another 23 are still on the run, local newspaper The Witness reported.
The ambush happened on Wednesday morning in Pietermaritzburg, the capital and second-largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal province, in the southeast of the country.
They were among more than 45 inmates who were being transferred from New Prison to the Magistrate’s Court in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.
Six of the prisoners handed themselves into officials in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court, the local paper reported, citing sources.
Those sources added that the gunmen, who were driving a pickup truck, were armed with AK47s, which they pointed at officers before forcing open the rear of the police vehicle.
“Police van with prisoners hijacked by five suspects with AK47 rifles. Policemen taken hostage with prisoners,” the RTC South Africa Group said. “Shots were fired. Scene still active. This occurred a short while ago on Devonshire Road between Pietermaritzburg Court and New Prison. KZN Prisoners were en-route to court.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) added in a statement: “This morning at 8:00, two police officers were conveying prisoners from the PMB New Prison to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court were blocked off by a double cab bakkie – with five heavily armed gunmen.
“The suspects pointed firearms at the police officers and forced open the rear of the truck. A total of 31 awaiting trial prisoners escaped out of the 45 that were in the truck.
“A manhunt is underway for the escapees and you will be kept updated on the progress. Including the hijackers, 36 criminals are now [on the loose].”
The Edendale and Devonshire roads have been closed off to visitors, while police officers tend to the scene.
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