Cops on manhunt for Pollsmoor inmates who escaped Wynberg court cells

FOUR trial-awaiting prisoners are on the loose after escaping the holding cells at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said Wynberg police have registered an escape-from-lawful-custody case following the incident on Monday.

Twigg reported: “Yesterday, 20 October 2025, at Wynberg court where six trail-awaiting prisoners between [the ages of] 21 and 34 escaped. 

“We can confirm that two of the six were re-arrested. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Police are following up all leads in a bid to re-arrest the outstanding suspects.”

According to Daily Voice sources, one of the prisoners is from Hanover Park, having earned a reputation as a “runaway bride” after also escaping custody in Philippi.

The source told the Daily Voice: “In 2023 he was arrested in Philippi and he also escaped from the cells in Philippi and that is the reason why they never gave him bail, because he was like a ‘runaway bride’ as they say.

“Apparently they are still looking for this guy.”

DA MP and Parliamentary Select Committee member on Security and Justice Nicholas Gotsell said it is another example of the criminal justice system being easily exploited.

Gotsell said: “There is no proper integrated system between SAPS, the courts and Correctional Services - everything is still manual. 

“This outdated process allows hardened criminals to manipulate the system — often swapping identities with cellmates facing lesser charges to slip through the cracks.”

He added that the system needs an honest police service and a corruption-proof, fully integrated biometric system linking SAPS and departments of Justice and Correctional Services.

Anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.