Teenager escapes from Bellville court, raising alarm over police custody

A third escape from police holding cells has raised the question of accountability and action. This after a 17-year-old suspect escaped from Bellville Magistrates' Court.

The teenager who may not be identified, escaped from the courthouse on November 19 and was re-arrested in Durbanville on Saturday.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg explained: "Kindly be advised that the escapee was re-arrested in Durbanville, on Saturday.

"Bellville police registered an escape from lawful custody case following the escape of a juvenile on Wednesday, November 19. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Police are following up all leads in a bid to re-arrest the juvenile. Anyone with any information who can assist with the investigation can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously."

Earlier, a sentenced prisoner, Jakon September, convicted of violent sexual offences, who escaped from Helderstroom Maximum Correctional Centre in Caledon found himself back in custody, following being on the run on November 8.Three prisoners escaped at Strand Magistrates' Court and six at Wynberg Magistrates' Court.

All escapees have since been detained.

Nicholas Gotsell MP, DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice, said the Democratic Alliance condemned the latest incident: "The third in less than a month, following the confirmation that a 17-year-old escaped from the Bellville SAPS cells before the court had even begun.

"This comes just days after a convicted rapist escaped from Helderstroom Maximum Prison, and follows the Wynberg and Strand escapes that SAPS has still failed to explain," he said.

"Dangerous criminals are repeatedly walking out of SAPS holding cells and the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile, is doing absolutely nothing to reassure the public that SAPS has the situation under control.

"Worse still, he has not acknowledged a single letter, nor provided any report, explanation or response to Parliament - despite being copied to correspondence sent directly via the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice.

"This silence is unacceptable, irresponsible and a direct insult to Parliament's constitutional oversight role, especially amidst soaring crime figures on the Cape Flats."

Gotsell questioned the incidents and its impact and accountability: " Are these truly escapes, or are they inside jobs? 

"How does a 17-year-old theft suspect 'escape' from a high-security Bellville court holding cell - a precinct designed to detain hundreds of violent offenders daily? 

"Why have there now been three escapes from SAPS custody without a single public explanation, suspension or consequence?"

"This all happens under a Provincial Commissioner (Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile) who has confirmed that he overturns the dismissals of crooked cops, even those found guilty of serious misconduct or criminal offences, under the auspices that the relationship between them and the SAPS has not "broken down irretrievably".

"This culture of impunity has created an environment where some officers believe they can act without consequence - and the results are now visible for all to see. "LT General Patekile recently dismissed these concerns as 'TikTok issues'."

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus