More than 200 suspects who escaped from police custody in South Africa are still on the run tonight.
That’s according to figures presented to Parliament, showing that 284 detainees escaped police cells
between April and December last year — and only 82 have been caught again. Which raises some uncomfortable questions: how do hundreds of people simply walk out of police custody? Are our holding cells failing, are police overstretched, or is something else going on inside the system?
Tonight we ask: when suspects escape before their day in court, who is accountable — and what does it mean for public safety?

More than 200 suspects who escaped from police&nbsp;custody in South Africa are still on the run tonight. That&rsquo;s according to figures presented to Parliament,&nbsp;showing that 284 detainees escaped police cells between April and December last year &mdash; and only 82&nbsp;have been caught again.&nbsp;Which raises some uncomfortable questions: how do&nbsp;hundreds of people simply walk out of police&nbsp;custody? Are our holding cells failing, are police&nbsp;overstretched, or is something else going on inside&nbsp;the system? Tonight we ask: when suspects escape before their&nbsp;day in court, who is accountable &mdash; and what does it&nbsp;mean for public safety?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope