Prisoner shot dead in escape bid

Johannesburg – On Monday police shot dead an awaiting-trial prisoner who tried to escape from custody at the South Gauteng High Court in the Joburg CBD.

  Police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters said the suspect was part of a group of five men who were appearing in court on different and unrelated cases; who attempted to escape.

  “One of the suspects was fatally shot and two others seriously wounded. One suspect is in police custody and the fifth is at large. The four were apprehended before they could exit the court building,” she said.

  Peters said preliminary information suggests that the suspects were armed with knives, as two police members were stabbed. 

  “One police member was in hospital with serious injuries,” Peters said.