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The DA in Limpopo takes note of the responses recently received to the written questions on escapes out of police custody submitted by the DA in the National Council of Provinces.

These questions were prompted by the latest incident on 15 February 2022 when Tsepo Botata escaped from a police van whilst being transported to Polokwane prison by the SAPS.

These written questions were simultaneously submitted to the MEC for Transport & Community Safety, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, but we are still awaiting her response.

The responses from National Police Commissioner, Fani Masemola, indicates that during the last 5 years the following escapes out of police custody in Limpopo were recorded:

·       230 escapes from police holding cells (the highest nationally)

·       24 escapes from police vehicles

·       176 escapes from physical police detention

From the 430 escapees, only 321 were re-arrested leaving 109 criminals to endanger the safety of our communities.

It is unacceptable that over 5 years, only 40 police officers were charged for negligence in the 430 incidents; in the Free State there were 179 escapes over the same period and 147 officers were charged with negligence.

The DA is concerned that a lack of adequate detention facilities and minimal resources and the lack of effective training, increases opportunities for criminals to escape.

Furthermore, the inefficacy of SAPS to secure prisoners and prisoners awaiting trail during their incarceration in police cells and the transportation to and from court is putting ordinary citizens at great risk.

We are concerned about MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya’s failure to provide answers to our questions, as she is mandated to provide is indicative of a lack of transparency in her department.

The DA will continue to accentuate the challenges within the SAPS that prevent our men and women in blue to ensure their own safety and the safety of our communities.

Issued by DA Provincial Spokesperson on Transport and Community Safety Katlego Suzan Phala