The South African Department of Correctional Services has foiled an escape plan by inmates that included Radovan Krecjir at Zonderwater Correctional Centre, when the DCS raided a number of cells over the weekend.
A number of illegal items were discovered and confiscated in different cells during the search operation, reports official South African government news agency SAnews.
The items included cell phones and their chargers, a knife, stun devices, correctional officials’ uniforms, as well as a firearm and ammunition.
“Stringent measures have been put in place at the centre to ensure continued safe and secure custody and public safety,” the department said in a statement.
The department takes this matter very seriously. Internal and external investigations have been launched by both Correctional Services and the South African Police Services (SAPS).
“Correctional Services continues to assess and strengthen its security strategies and operations in all its 243 facilities, building on successes of the past 10 years in respect of the reduction of escapes,” the department said.
Krejcir was initially held at the Kgosi Mamphuru Prison, in Pretoria, after being found guilty of kidnapping, drug dealing and attempted murder.
It is alleged that the raid on his cell was done after police received a tip off about his intention to escape.
