According to the Correctional Services Department, officials were providing lunch to the inmates when they were overpowered by the offenders who then managed to escape.
The Correctional Services Department says 61 of the 69 inmates that escaped from Malmesbury Prison have been re-arrested.
Awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from the facility on Friday afternoon.
According to the department, officials were providing lunch to the inmates when they were overpowered by the offenders who then managed to escape.
Regional Commissioner Delekile Klaas said: “Sixty-nine offenders escaped from the facility. Of the 69, 61 were rearrested by a joint operation of the police, correctional services and the local security companies.”
Some of the Malmesbury escapees have been recaptured. pic.twitter.com/Gmo9H3PviP
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 24, 2020
Several videos believed to be of the escape, and the subsequent police chase, have been shared widely on social media.
Prisoners escape Malmesbury. Some even hijacked a vehicle. pic.twitter.com/HqugqzLu5M
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 24, 2020