One of two prisoners who remained at large following a brazen escape from Strand Magistrates’ Court has surrendered to authorities.
Glenville Jantjies (22) handed himself over to police at 13:20 on Friday (31 October), said Strand police spokesperson Warrant Officer Nico Beukes.
“He appears briefly in Strand Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday 3 November), before he will be transferred to Pollsmoor,” Beukes added.
THE ORIGINAL ESCAPE
Jantjies was part of a trio who escaped from lawful custody on Monday 27 October, when they appeared at Strand Magistrates’ Court. The three prisoners – Jantjies, Denver Pietersen (34), and Rastum Alfestus (25) – had been transported from Pollsmoor Correctional Centre for court appearances.
Court orderlies discovered the escape when they arrived to transport the prisoners back to Pollsmoor. The suspects were missing from the court cells with no signs of a forced breakout.
Before their escape, the prisoners faced serious charges including attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
TWO DOWN, ONE TO GO
Alfestus was the first to be recaptured following a public tip-off. Police apprehended him at a Strand residence on Tuesday 28 October at 12:20. He appeared in court on an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody on Thursday 30 October, before being returned to Pollsmoor.
With Jantjies now in custody, only Pietersen remains at large.
The Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into circumstances around the escape, and one arrest has already been made in connection with the incident.
- Police urge members of the public not to approach Pietersen if spotted and to contact their nearest police station immediately, or Strand police’s Vispol commander, Captain Vanessa Daniels, on 082 302 3665.
