Manhunt for 6 Escape Prisoners Launched by Saps in Gauteng, Police Van Ambushed by Silver Audi

• The South African Police Service is on the hunt for six men who escaped on their way to make a court appearance
• The five of the men are said to be Zimbabwean nationals and they are facing multiple charges that include robbery and attempted murder
• Some South Africans belive the escaped was carried out with the help of the police and it was an inside job

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Police Service has launched a manhunt for six male prisoners that made an escape on Friday morning, 14 January.

The men were in a police van on their way to the Vosloorus Magistrate's Court for a court appearance. A police van they were travelling was cornered by three men driving a silver Audi.

The car blocked off the police at the corner of Barry Marais Road and Rondebult Road in Brakpan, Johannesburg, according to News24.

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After blocking the police van from proceeding, three men carrying assault rifles jumped out of the car and released the prisoners.

Five of the prisoners are said to be Zimbabwean nationals and have been charged with robbery, attempted murder and carrying an illegal firearm, says SAPS spokesperson Brenda Muridili The crimes they are being charged with occurred at Dawn Park in Vosloorus, reports EWN.

The sixth person was facing charges of shoplifting.

The police are calling the public to notify them when they see the escaped prisoners.

South Africans say the escape is an inside job

In the comment section, South Africans have weighed in on the news of the escaped prisoners. Some people believe that they were aided by someone within the force.

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Here are some comments:

Muziwandile Gumbi said:

"Inside job SAPS, some got paid. Police should account for this recklessness."

Mokgele Anfield Sebotsa said:

"Criminals overpowering the law enforcement, it's an embarrassment!!"

Akanyang Dimatla said:

"They were released by the police. Inside job this one. There's no security in this country."

Some people say the shoplifter shouldn't have escaped

Enock Mthimkulu said:

"Shoplifter should have stayed, his sentence wasn't going to be bad. Now he faces more charges."

Ian Nxumalo said:

"The South African guy wasn't supposed to escape as he wasn't part of the plan. He will have nowhere to run to...The Zim guys are safe, they can cross over to their home country. 3 years minimum added years for escaping and you serve it as it is."

Shweme Sterra Moko said:

"That guy who was arrested for shoplifting, I don't think he was part of the plan. He was forced to escape "

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Zakhele Kunene said:

"Escaping on a shoplifting case. Dumbest dumb."

Umzinto prison up in flames as inmates protest on roof of facility

Briefly News previously reported that It has been alleged that prisoners have escaped from the Umzinto Prison. Reports state that the facility was full of smoke and that people kept coming out of it. It's been confirmed by sources at the scene that prisoners began to protest.

The above has yet to be confirmed by the department and what exactly transpired. The spokesperson for the department Singabakho Nxumalo stated that the situation has since returned to normal and that the fire started in section A of the prison.

People believed to be prisoners can be seen on the roof of the facility as smoke continued to come out of the facility.

Source: Briefly News