{
  "id": 8030085,
  "title": "‘You leave or we are going to kill you’: Inmate escape linked to alleged threats, Madlanga commission hears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/you-leave-or-we-are-going-to-kill-you-inmate-escape-linked-to-alleged",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T13:21:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/inmate-escape-threats-madlanga-commission/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Convinced that inmate Edward Khomotso Madiba's escape from the Rooigrond Maximum Correctional Centre was linked to threats of murder, Correctional Services national commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale testified before the Madlanga commission. Madiba, serving a 20-year sentence for crimes including robbery and firearms possession, managed to break out of his cell by cutting through burglar bars. Thobakgale, who interviewed Madiba upon his recapture, explained that the inmate had identified officials implicated in his 2022 escape and threatened to implicate them again if not helped to flee. According to Thobakgale, the inmates responsible allegedly warned Madiba, \"either you leave, or we are going to kill you,\" prompting his escape. This tactic aimed to prevent Madiba from implicating them in court. Thobakgale also noted that powerful inmates often try to corrupt lower-ranking officials to help with smuggling and other activities. He acknowledged that influential inmates like Thabo Bester had attempted to gain personal attention from senior officials, urging Thobakgale to document their requests formally.",
  "summary": "The offender allegedly received assistance from correctional officers during both his 2022 and 2026 escapes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Thobakgale tells Madlanga Commission prisons become training base for future crime bosses",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/thobakgale-tells-madlanga-commission-prisons-become-training-base-for",
        "published": "2026-09-17T13:51:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}