Ismail George, the notorious 'Runaway Bride', captured by police after daring escape
Ismail George has been detained by police after he escaped from Wynberg Court holding cells.
Image: SAPS
The awaiting trial prisoner dubbed “The Runaway Bride” has been apprehended after being on the run for a week following his escape together with five others from the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court a week ago.
Ismail George, is expected to make an appearance at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on Monday following his elaborate escape.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg explained: “This office can confirm that the last suspect in the Wynberg escape from lawful custody case Ismail George was arrested on Sunday, November 2, in Mitchells Plain. He is due to appear in court today.”
According to the Cape Argus’ sister newspaper, the Daily Voice, George has earned a reputation for being a “slippery character” after also escaping custody in Philippi and earned the name “The Runaway Bride.”
Six prisoners escaped from the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court, with two being apprehended shortly thereafter, following three more later in the week, namely Linda Soyeza, Mphumeleli Lufutha, and Tawfeeq Damo after their photographs were circulated.
The group faces charges relating to the illegal possession of a firearm and housebreaking and a warrant of arrest.
At the Strand Magistrates’ Court, three prisoners escaped after they had been transported from Pollsmoor Prison.
The escape was discovered when court officials arrived to return the prisoners to Pollsmoor and found the court cells empty, with no signs of forced entry or damage to the holding area.
According to a statement released, the escapees were identified as Denver Pietersen aged 34, Glenville Jantjies aged 22 and Rastum Alfestus aged 25. Pietersen and Jantjies were facing charges of attempted murder while Alfestus had been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
A large-scale search operation was launched and Alfestus was successfully apprehended at a residence in Strand the following day.
Pietersen and Jantjies, are still at large.