AN awaiting trial prisoner was shot and killed while trying to escape from the Mthatha High Court yesterday.
The 32-year-old man attacked and stabbed a policeman several times in the drama which unfolded at the court at about 3.45pm.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said seven prisoners had appeared before the court on murder charges relating to a case in Mthatha in 2010. After the case was remanded for October 10, the prisoners were being escorted to a police van to allow their transfer to Wellington prison in Mthatha when one of the men allegedly attacked a policeman.
The policeman was stabbed several times. The prisoner then turned on another policeman who fired warning shots before shooting him. He died on the scene.
The policeman who had sustained stab wounds is in a stable condition in hospital.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate visited the scene yesterday.
