Bandiet's jail break brings total to 10 since October

IN JUST one month, ten criminals have broken free from holding cells at courts across the Western Cape, with the latest escape at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court.

The 17-year-old slipped from custody before making his court appearance on 19 November but was re-arrested three days later in Durbanville.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the escape.

Twigg reported: “Bellville police registered an escape from lawful custody case following the escape of a juvenile on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. 

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Police are following up all leads in a bid to re-arrest the juvenile.”

Manuel was arrested on 22 November in Durbanville.

The escapes form part of a worrying trend. In October, six trial-awaiting prisoners aged between 21 and 34 escaped from Wynberg Magistrate's Court holding cells.

Police later identified four of the Wynberg escapees as Linda Soyeza, Mphumeleli Lufutha, Ismail George, and Tawfeeq Damon, all facing charges including illegal possession of firearms, housebreaking, and outstanding warrants of arrest. 

A week after that incident, three more suspects broke free from Strand Magistrate's Court. Police identified the trio as Denver Pietersen, 34, Glenville Jantjies, 22, and Rastum Alfestus, 25. 

The spate of escapes has sparked concern over court security and the risk posed by repeat offenders.

DA Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Select Committee member on Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell said despite dangerous criminals repeatedly walking out of holiday cells Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile is doing niks to reassure the public.

Gotsell says: “Worse still, he has not acknowledged a single letter, nor provided any report, explanation or response to Parliament - despite being copied to correspondence sent directly via the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice.

“This silence is unacceptable, irresponsible and a direct insult to Parliament’s constitutional oversight role, especially amidst soaring crime figures on the Cape Flats.”

He further questioned whether these incidents are truly escapes or inside jobs and why there hasn’t been any public explanation, suspension or consequence.

The party has written to the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice requesting that Patekile be summoned before the end of the year to account for the escapes, systemic collapse and measures to be implemented.