Boksburg cops detained for allegedly helping six suspects escape

Their arrest of the police officers is in relation to the escape of the prisoners from the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court’s holding cells on Thursday afternoon, May 19.

The Boksburg police confirmed that during the course of their internal investigation, the police officers were on Friday, May 20 arrested under suspicion of aiding and abetting.

The Warrant Officers were taken to the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, where the court refused to place the matter on the court roll, citing lack of evidence to try the pair for aiding and abetting.

The pair is, however, still under investigation for gross negligence, and according to a police source it appears some kind of discipline is imminent.

The Advertiser understands the SAPS is intending to serve the officers with a notice of suspension.

It is alleged that the members went out to lunch and left the cells unlocked.

They allegedly also left the key for the main door – leading out of the building – on a table just outside the cells.

It is believed that the accused exited their cells, used the key left unattended on the table to unlock the main door of the holding cells and made a sudden departure.

Police were on Monday (May 23) still seeking the assistance of the public in re-capturing the fugitives, but urged members of the public to not approach these individual considered extremely dangerous as they may be armed.

Three of the suspects were named as Fanie Hlela, Sipho Ngwenya and Siphamandla Dlamini, who were recently arrested by the Boksburg police and charged with the business robbery committed at Fashion World.

The trio is also wanted for other serious crimes, committed in Benoni, Actonville, Jeppe and Durban.

These offenses include 20 counts of murder, attempted murder and several robberies.

Further charges of escaping from custody are being investigated against the suspects. -@FanieFLK

Police are searching for six dangerous suspects who escaped from court