Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has sent condolences to the family of the Correctional Services official who was shot and killed by awaiting trial detainees that escaped from the Barkley East Correctional Centre in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.
According to Correctional Services Eastern Cape Regional Commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast, the awaiting trial detainees escaped after holding officials hostage.
Mzukisi Michael Dusubana (54) was shot and killed by the escapees during the incident.
"On behalf of the Correctional Services family, we want to convey sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Dusubana, who was shot and killed in the line of duty..." said Ndebele.
He wished the officials injured during the hostage incident a speedy recovery and commended the police for the swift arrest of four detainees.
He called upon the police to leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
"When any member of the Correctional Services family loses his or her life, particularly as cowardly as what happened on Saturday, it breaks all our hearts. We, however, urge all our officials, who risk their lives while protecting society, to continue to execute their duties fearlessly and within the framework of the law.
"We shall never accept, nor allow, this to continue because the killing of a single law enforcement officer robs the nation," said Ndebele.
Correctional Services National Commissioner Tom Moyane is expected to visit Dusubana's family tomorrow.
Four detainees have since been re-arrested, and police are working round the clock to ensure that the remaining seven are arrested.
Moyane warned the public not to confront the offenders but to immediately report their whereabouts to the police.
