C-Max escape bid: 'shooting was not planned'

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The plan for the foiled escape bid by inmates of C-Max Prison was to hold warders hostage and force them to open the prison doors, but never to shoot anyone, the Pretoria High Court heard on Wednesday. It was claimed that the firearm was smuggled into the prison by warder Herman Makhubela, 34 - also an accused.

Thabo Phofedi, 28, and Freddy Teane, 30, pleaded guilty to an array of charges after the State withdrew two murder charges against them. Judge Eben Jordaan convicted them accordingly.

Phofedi is already serving 35 years for murder and robbery, while Teane is serving life for murder and rape.

C-Max Prison head Thomas Gomba and warden Alpheus Ndiniza died on November 7, 2004 during the first-ever escape bid by inmates from that prison. It is claimed that the two were shot and killed by inmates Mpho Kganago and Ronnie Nenyatso. These two, according to the accused, orchestrated the escape.

After shooting the two wardens, Kganago shot and killed Nenyatso before committing suicide.

Phofedi pleaded guilty and was convicted on a charge of escaping and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Teane pleaded guilty and he was convicted on five charges - escaping, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Phofedi claimed in his explanation of plea that apart from giving a firearm to Kganago, prison warden Makhubela also handed him (Phofedi) a knife.

"Makhubela said I must hide it with the firearm. He also told me not to tell anyone about the firearm."

Makhubela, he said, knew about the escape plan from the start as he had discussed it with Kganago.

Phofedi said Kganago and Nenyatso one day asked him whether he wanted to be part of it.

After he had agreed, they called him into their cell and asked him to hide the firearm.

"Ronnie took it from his pillow and gave it to me."

Phofedi said that two weeks before the escape Makhubela searched his cell. It was then that the warden handed him the knife.

The plan, he said, was to escape during lock-up time.

On the day of the escape Gomba came to the prison with Ndiniza. Kganago told him to fetch the knife and firearm.

Phofedi said the plan was to take the officials hostage and force them to open the doors, but not to shoot them. He said he pleaded with Kganago not to shoot anyone.

Teane said they stuck to the plan, until Gomba tried to grab the firearm from Kganago, who then fired at Gomba and Ndiniza.

He also admitted that during the escape he helped to overpower some of the warders. They removed their clothes and took their cellphones.

They will be sentenced on Friday.

The case against Makhubela and another accused, inmate Patrick Mabuse, is expected to proceed on Thursday. They pleaded not guilty to all the charges.