BREAKING NEWS: Police have launched a manhunt after 31 awaiting trial prisoners escaped from a truck that was transporting them from the Pietermaritzburg (PMB) New Prison to the PMB Margistrate’s Court this morning. @NkoRaphael

The police’s Jay Naicker says 2 officers were transporting the prisoners when they were blocked off by double cab bakkie with 5 heavily gunmen. The suspects pointed firearms at the officers & forced them to open the rear of the truck. There were 45 prisoners in total. @NkoRaphael

The police have just given an update: 22 prisoners are now in their custody but 23 are still on the run. @NkoRaphael

An update from @SAPoliceService - two more prisoners have been located meaning, 25 prisoners are now in the custody of the police. A search is continuing for the missing 20. @NkoRaphael

The truck that was carrying the prisoners is still on the scene. @NkoRaphael

It appears that the escapees are being re-arrested one-by-one. The police have confirmed that one prisoner was found less than an hour ago. 19 more escapees are still outstanding, down from the initial 31 that managed to flee from the police vehicle. @NkoRaphael