By George Sanzila
Katima Mulilo – In what is described as one of the biggest prison escapes in Katima Mulilo, 13 suspected criminals broke free from the Katima Mulilo holding cells in the early hours of Monday.
The daring escape prompted the police to embark on a massive manhunt that only resulted in the recapture of two of the 13 suspects so far. The fugitives face serious charges ranging from murder, housebreaking, rape, stock theft and poaching, among others.
Of the 13 escapees, six are Namibians, six are Zambians and one is a Congolese national.
The prison break that left the police egg-faced, is reminiscent of a fiction movie as trial-awaiting prisoners cut their way out through the ceiling of the holding cells using what is described as a saw and pieces of blankets stringed together as their ticket to freedom.
They climbed onto the roof to break free. The suspects then started fleeing on foot in different directions.
Police regional spokesperson, Seargent Kisco Sitali, confirmed the escape but was quick to say the police were already on the suspects’ trail and their taste of freedom would be short-lived.
“They escaped on Monday morning. The police are searching for them. It’s just a matter of time before they are re-arrested,” said Sitali.
According Sitali, police were not sure how the saw used to cut through the ceiling found its way into the cells.
“Police investigations are still continuing. We have no idea how the suspects managed to get a saw, which they used to cut through the ceiling,” explained Sitali.
However, Sitali explained that during the search the police managed to re-arrest two Zambian nationals on the same morning.
“One Zambian fugitive was limping perhaps because he fell and broke his leg when they were climbing the roof. He did not go far; we managed to catch him close to the police station. The other one, we found him after getting a tip from an onlooker who sensed something suspicious,” said Sitali.
Sitali cautioned the public to be on high alert, saying, “We want to appeal to the public to be very careful. These are suspected criminals. We also want to plead to the public to please report any suspicious movements so that we re-arrest these suspected criminals.”