Yanga Wayithi a 35-year-old inmate who reportedly escaped from the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre on Tuesday has been re-arrested.

SENTENCE

The inmate had been serving a six-month sentence for theft and trespassing. Wayithi was assigned to work with a team responsible for maintaining the prison grounds when he made a run for it on Tuesday. DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed that Wayithi was re-arrested in the early hours of this morning. "Correctional Services is able to confirm the rearrest of Yanga Wayithi, following a coordinated law enforcement operation. 

Wayithi was apprehended at about 01:30 in the morning of Wednesday, the 12th of February. He is now back in custody at Pollsmoor Correctional Facility."

ADDITIONAL CHARGES

Nxumalo said Wayithi would now be furnished with additional charges in connection to his escape from lawful custody.

"A full-scale investigation is underway to determine the circumstances around the escape and appropriate measures will be taken against any lapses identified. 

What is also important to state is that security protocols at Pollsmoor are under review to prevent similar incidents in the future."

ESCAPE PREVENTION PLAN

Earlier this month, DCS said it had met all requirements set by the public protector to develop an escape prevention plan following convicted rapist Thabo Bester's prison break in May 2022. The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Lindiwe Ntshalintshali said they managed to develop an escape prevention strategy within the 90-day period. "I must indicate that the report of the public protector, as a department, we have complied with it.We have also met the requirement for an anti-corruption reporting line. Also, that in 120 days we deal with the establishment of the anonymous reporting hotline. As a department, we have complied, and we have submitted."