The Department of Correctional Services says five of the seven inmates who escaped from the Groenpunt Correctional Centre near Vereeniging early yesterday morning, are back behind bars.
The spokesperson for the Correctional Services Ministry, Logan Maistry, says one prisoner was rearrested on Thursday while on his way to Sasolburg.
He says four others were arrested in Deneysville in the Free State on Friday morning.
The Acting National Commissioner, Zachariya Modise, has praised law enforcement officials for the speedy arrests.
"On behalf of DCS, we want to praise these officials, from DCS, the South African Police Service and all other enforcement agencies, who went beyond the call of duty to ensure the speedy arrest of these five inmates. With this kind of dedication and commitment, we are confident that the remaining two inmates will also be arrested shortly. DCS will continue to ensure that our high standard of safe, and secure, custody at the country's 243 correctional centres is maintained. During the last financial year (1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015), the percentage of escapes from correctional centres stood at 0.024%.
"We are once again appealing to members of the public not to approach any of these inmates should they encounter any of them, but to report to the nearest police station. We are also calling upon any person who may have any information that will assist in this investigation to please come forward," Mr. Modise said.
