STRAND – An escaped prisoner was recaptured in Strand on Tuesday 25 November after nearly a month of evading police and prison officials.
The drama unfolded in the Morkel’s Cottage informal settlement around 14:35, when Strand police officials managed to trace and nab Denver “Seun” Pietersen, who was seriously wounded during the police pursuit.
The 34-year-old had been on the run following his and two others’ escape from custody at Strand Magistrates’ Court on Monday 27 October. Pietersen’s two accomplices have already been rearrested and remain in custody.
According to Warrant Officer Nico Beukes, spokesperson for Strand police, officers on patrol in the informal settlement spotted Pietersen, who apparently fled on foot when he saw the police vehicle. The officers immediately pursued the fugitive.
“The suspect managed to hide in a dwelling to avoid arrest, but the officers followed him,” Beukes related.
“He then attempted to escape through the back of the structure. When the suspect tried to flee again, the officers discharged their firearms.”
Pietersen was struck in the chest and required urgent medical treatment, the spokesperson confirmed. Emergency services responded to the scene and transported Pietersen to a nearby medical facility, where he remains under police guard.
The arrest ends a month-long manhunt that began when the three suspects managed to escape from detention at the local court. The three had come to Strand from the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre.
Around 16:45 that day, court orderlies discovered that Pietersen, Glenville Jantjies and Rastum Alfestus were missing from their cells with no signs of a forced breakout (“Strand jailbreak: Escaped prisoner back behind bars, 2 others still on the run“, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 30 October).
Before their escape, the prisoners faced serious charges including attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
With Pietersen’s arrest, all three escapees have now been recaptured. Alfestus was arrested at his home in Strand on Tuesday 28 October, while Jantjies surrendered to authorities on Friday 31 October (“Strand jailbreak: Second escaped prisoner surrenders, 1 still at large“, 3 November).
Police are investigating the most recent shooting incident.
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