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Yanga Wayithi escaped Pollsmoor Prison on Sunday. (Department of Correctional Services/Supplied)
- A Pollsmoor Prison inmate escaped over the weekend while he was part of a work team responsible for maintaining the prison facility's grounds.
- Authorities have since launched a manhunt for him.
- He was serving a six-month sentence for theft and trespassing.
A manhunt has been launched for an inmate who escaped from Pollsmoor Prison while part of a work team carrying out maintenance on the facility's grounds on Sunday.
Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the inmate, Yanga Wayithi, 35, was serving a six-month sentence for theft and trespassing.
"He was assigned to a work team responsible for maintaining the facility's grounds and was part of the team that was working on the grounds," Nxumalo added.
Police were notified, and a case of escape from lawful custody was opened.
"The Department of Correctional Services' tracing team is actively working to ensure a swift rearrest. Additionally, an internal investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the escape, with the findings informing any further action to be taken," Nxumalo said.
He urged the public to be vigilant and on to report any suspicious activity to authorities.
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Western Cape police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk said police are still searching for the escapee.
A search between Correctional Services personnel and Kirstenhof SAPS is continuing after an escape from lawful custody case was registered.
The escape comes hot on the heels of another jailbreak in December when a detainee escaped while being transported to Pollsmoor Prison.
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The man reportedly escaped through the roof of the prison transport vehicle he was travelling in.
The alarm was sounded when members of the public saw the detainee making a run for it.
Members of the public alerted the truck driver to the escape attempt near a railway crossing in Muizenberg.
The driver and his partner secured the roof, and upon checking the detainees at Pollsmoor, they discovered that one prisoner was missing.
