Seven security guards arrested following the Lindela Repatriation Centre escape

Seven security guards at the Lindela Repatriation Centre, west of Johannesburg, have been arrested in connection with the recent escape of 37 deportees.

They have been charged with aiding the escapees after leaving their posts.

However, they have denied this saying they left because they were not being paid for overtime.

The security guards allegedly tipped-off the deportees, who then scaled the walls.

Gauteng police spokesperson Kay Makhubele says the seven have been released on warning, but will appear in court on Tuesday.

“I can confirm that the security guards were on duty when the 37 deportees escaped from Lindela. A case of aiding to escape was registered and since then the police have been investing the matter and today in the early morning the suspects were brought to Krugersdorp police station by a lawyer. Seven of them were brought to the police station and they are released on warning and they will be appearing on Tuesday in Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court.”

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says security guards from a private company who had issues with their employer- allegedly assisted 37 illegal immigrants to escape from the Lindela Repatriation Centre near Johannesburg on Sunday #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/WPs1nz8Pu7

— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) May 7, 2020

#sapsGP #SAPS Krugersdorp arrested 7 security guards today for aiding the escape of 37 illegal immigrants who escaped from Lindela repatriation centre on 02/05. The seven security guards were handed in at Krugersdorp police by their lawyer. #CrimeStop MEhttps://t.co/cRKFOc3gcn pic.twitter.com/T7Pr9KzuXH

— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) May 15, 2020