Eight officials could face suspension after Rooigrond escape as DSC launches manhunt
Law enforcement agencies launched a manhunt after Madiba escaped from Rooigrond Maximum Correctional Centre near Mahikeng on Sunday.
A manhunt is underway after an inmate, Edward Khomotso Madiba, escaped from Rooigrond Maximum Correctional Centre in the North West. Eight officials at the facility could face suspension following the incident. Madiba, serving a 20-year sentence for various crimes, escaped from his single cell on Sunday. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed that he cut through a burglar-bar door.
This is not Madiba's first escape attempt, as he was previously detained at Rooigrond due to a prior escape. The DCS has activated its security detail and is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend Madiba. Rooigrond Medium was reportedly holding 788 inmates beyond its approved capacity, according to the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru).
The facility received an unsatisfactory rating from the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services due to various issues, including broken windows, leaking roofs, poor sanitation, and water shortages. Popcru has called for an urgent investigation into the escape, requesting that the Department of Correctional Services determine how Madiba managed to escape, the role of infrastructure or security equipment in the incident, staffing adequacy, and whether security procedures were followed.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
