Edward Khomotso Madiba
PRETORIA - The circumstances surrounding escape of Edward Khomotso Madiba from Rooigrond Correctional Facility have come under scrutiny.
Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale provided more details about information allegedly supplied by the inmate.
Thobakgale testified on Thursday at the Madlanga Commission about how Madiba escaped.
He stated that information provided by Madiba concerned the alleged involvement of correctional officers in his previous escape in 2022.
According to the commissioner, Madiba was going through court proceedings related to the 2022 escape, in which four inmates, including Madiba, had escaped.
Thobakgale told the Commission that Madiba had started moving towards identifying officers allegedly involved in that escape.
It was during this period, Thobakgale said, that officers allegedly approached Madiba and threatened him.
“He was going through court processes for the escape of 2022, he was starting to move towards mentioning names of officers and that's when they then approached him to say either you leave or we are going to kill you,” Thobakgale told the commission.
Thobakgale said Madiba’s account was that the officers then assisted him to escape, allegedly to prevent him from naming them during the court proceedings.
It was during this period, according to the testimony, that police wardens allegedly approached Madiba with the offer to assist with another escape.
Thobakgale stated that the police approached Edward and "said either you are going to leave, or we are going to kill you"
He said Madiba was assisted from inside the correctional services system after escaping from the Northwest facility on 6 September.
Madiba was rearrested in Brits 72 hours later. Eight officials were subsequently served with notices of possible suspension while investigations continued.