WINDHOEK – Heads are expected to roll among the guards at the Windhoek Central Prison, following a prison-break by three dangerous inmates during the early hours of yesterday.
Police public relations officer Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi says a serious investigation has been launched at the Windhoek Central Prison by the Namibian Police (Nampol) to determine how the three prisoners managed to escape, given the maximum security measures in place. It was a hectic morning for Nampol in Windhoek yesterday, following the prison break. It is believed that the trio escaped from the cells between 02h00 and 06h00 in the morning. They were rearrested at around 12h45 near Kapps Farm about 10km east of the capital.
Shikwambi told New Era that the three prisoners, who shared one cell, cut open the bars of the windows of the cell and also the prison’s main fence before escaping. One of them is 28-year-old Sylvester Beukes, who was convicted over the slaughter of eight people at Kareeboom Farm situated between Rehoboth and Kalkrand in 2005. He was given a prison sentence of 105 years in 2011 alongside with his brother Gavin, who was sentenced to 85 years in prison. However, Gavin was not part of yesterday’s prison break and it remains unclear whether or not he was in the same cell with his brother. The other two are 31-year-old Steven Goagoseb who was sentenced to a 27 year prison term for murdering an officer of the Windhoek City Police in his home in 2005 and Hendrick Modise who was jailed over a rape case. Shikwambi described the three as a danger to society.
They were arrested while heading in the direction of the Hosea Kutako International Airport and were not armed. According to Shikwambi the circumstances surrounding the escape are not known yet, including the objects that were used to cut the bars of the windows and the fence. A case of escape will be opened against the three. “It is an additional case for them, but as to when they will appear in court that I cannot say at the moment,” Shikwambi said. Following their arrest they were taken back to the Windhoek Central Prison.
By Tonateni Shidhudhu