KEY POINTS
- 35-year-old Yanga Wayithi, serving a six-month sentence, was rearrested after escaping Pollsmoor Prison.
- Authorities confirmed Wayithi will be charged with escaping from lawful custody.
- Officials are probing potential security lapses that led to the escape, with increased scrutiny on prison oversight.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed the recapture of 35-year-old Yanga Wayithi, who escaped from Pollsmoor Prison earlier this week while working on the facility’s grounds.
Wayithi, who was serving a six-month sentence for theft and trespassing, was taken back into custody in the early hours of Wednesday, February 12. His escape triggered an immediate manhunt, leading to his swift re-arrest.
Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Mxumalo stated that Wayithi would face additional charges for his escape from lawful custody.
“Wayithi was apprehended at about half past one in the early hours of Wednesday, February 12. He is now back at Pollsmoor Correctional Facility and will face additional charges related to this escape from lawful custody,” Mxumalo confirmed.
Authorities Probe Escape Amid Security Concerns
The circumstances surrounding Wayithi’s escape remain under investigation, with authorities seeking to determine whether security lapses or negligence contributed to the incident.
Mxumalo assured the public that the DCS was treating the matter with urgency.
“A full-scale investigation is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape,” he added.
Pollsmoor Prison, a high-security correctional facility, has faced security breaches in the past, prompting concerns over inmate supervision and facility management. Inmates assigned to maintenance work are considered low-risk, but officials are now reassessing security protocols to prevent future incidents.
Wayithi’s attempted escape and subsequent recapture come amid growing scrutiny over prison security measures in South Africa, with calls for stricter oversight in correctional facilities.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether additional individuals were involved in assisting Wayithi or whether any prison staff members will be held accountable for lapses in security.
As the investigation continues, officials have urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to correctional facilities to law enforcement.
