Prison break chaos: Dangerous offender on the loose

Cape Town – A large-scale manhunt has been launched in KwaZulu-Natal after a convicted rapist and violent offender managed to escape from Sevontein Correctional Centre on Thursday, authorities said.

According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Thulani Gcaleka, who was serving a life sentence for a range of serious crimes including rape, attempted rape, attempted murder, house robbery and housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, fled while on duty at a work site attached to the prison.

In a statement, DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo explained that Gcaleka was part of a cleaning team working at the prison farm in Pietermaritzburg when he escaped. “A preliminary report indicates that the offender was part of a cleaning work team assigned to duties at the prison farm at the time of the escape,” Nxumalo said.

The department has opened an internal investigation to determine how the security breach occurred. “The outcome of the investigation will guide the necessary disciplinary action and corrective measures to be undertaken in line with the Correctional Services Act,” Nxumalo added, underlining that DCS “would act without hesitation against any form of security breach or deviation from its prescribed standard operating procedures.”

🚨 WANTED: Police are searching for a man who escaped from the Soventein Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. pic.twitter.com/HyH7Amklai

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 6, 2026

Authorities confirmed that all available resources have been mobilised to track and re-arrest the escapee, with police stations and correctional facilities urged to assist. “Necessary resources have been mobilised to ensure the swift apprehension of the offender,” the department said, urging members of the public who see Gcaleka or have information about his whereabouts to report it immediately.