Prisoner shot whilst trying to escape at Phikwe prison

Larona Makhaiza | Monday May 25, 2026 17:28

 

In an interview with MmegiOnline, Selebi Phikwe Station Commander, Superintendent Moathodi Makumula, confirmed the incident to this publication, revealing that the prisoner was shot at lunchtime.

'It is true that we have a case where a prison officer shot and killed a prisoner who was on remand,” Makumula confirmed.

Makumula said the deceased was in custody for rape and was scheduled to appear before court next month.

“The deceased ... was supposed to appear before court on June 11 for a status update,” he said.

The commander said the inmate was fatally shot when trying to flee from prison in an attempt to escape.

“The prisoner ... had managed to skip the first fence. He was already heading for the second fence,” Makumula said.

Just before he could reach the second fence, Makumula said the prisoner was spotted, and the prison officer sounded the alarm to alert other prison guards.

“A prison officer spotted him from the tower when he was going for the second fence, and they called out to him, but he did not comply as prison officers tried to stop him,” he said.

Makumula revealed that the prisoner did not heed to the calls by prison officers and he was eventually taken down.

“The prisoner was then shot and unfortunately died as a result,” he said.