Seven 'dangerous' inmates escape from Vereeniging maximum security prison

Seven armed inmates have escaped from the Groenpunt Maximum Correctional facility in Vereeniging in the early hours of Thursday morning, the Correctional Services Department confirmed.

Acting Commissioner, Zacharia Modise, confirmed the prison break and told EWN that the criminals were arrested for serious crimes and pose a threat to surrounding communities.

Modise said the department has dispatched its officials to the facility to determine how the inmates managed to escape and if they are armed.

Modise warned the public to alert authorities should they spot the criminals.

The Correctional Services Department has just confirmed seven inmates have escaped from the Groenpunt Maximum Correctional Facility in Vereeniging.

"They would not hesitate to cause any harm or injury to any person. So, what I would like to request from communities is that if one sees an offenders, please sound an alarm.”