BREAKING: Prisoner hiding in Tembisa court building after fatally shooting cop

12 October 2016 - 12:59 By Julia Madibogo And Sibongile Mashaba

A police officer was shot and killed by an awaiting trial prisoner at the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday. A police officer who wished not to be a named as he is not authorised to speak to the media said a search for a prisoner is currently underway at the court, which is in lockdown.“It is very hectic. No one is allowed in or out. It looks like a hostage situation. We know that he is hiding somewhere in court so we are afraid he might leave‚ we are not taking any chances‚” the police captain said.It is believed that an awaiting trial prisoner shot and killed a police captain and then escaped from the holding cells. The prisoner has been identified as Bomba Shongwe‚ who was being held at the Johannesburg Prison‚ while the police officer has been named as a Captain Lamola.ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring confirmed that the police captain succumbed to his “multiple gun wounds” as he was being airlifted to hospital.Provincial police spokesman Captain Mavela Masondo said: “We will release a statement on the matter in two hours.”According to a witness who arrived at court moments after the shooting witnesses were traumatised by the incident.“I went there to file my papers at court and I was turned away. I was told that there has been a serious shooting and therefore I can not go in. There were many police cars outside court you could not even get in‚” the witness said.“Everyone looked scared‚ it was as if they saw something very scary. People were just crying it was chaotic‚” he added.– TMG Digital/Sowetan..

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