A 23-year-old inmate who escaped from Allandale Correctional Centre in Paarl was found dead just hours later, bringing a tragic end to a short-lived breakout that sparked a widespread manhunt.
The inmate, Graine Martin, had been serving a 12-year sentence for assault and theft since August 2023.
According to the Department of Correctional Services, Martin was part of the prison’s agricultural labour team when he escaped under still-unclear circumstances.
Rapid response
The escape triggered a rapid response from police, correctional officers, and community policing structures, with the search focused in the Smartytown area and surrounding parts of Paarl East.
Later that afternoon, Martin’s body was discovered in the Schoongesicht informal settlement, inside a shack known by locals as Agge se hok.
Speaking to the media, Paarl East Community Policing Forum chairperson Edgar Petersen confirmed that the inmate had taken his own life.
Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said preliminary investigations suggest Martin died by suicide.
“Preliminary observations indicate that he took his own life through hanging. The matter has been reported to SAPS, and an inquest will be conducted in line with applicable procedures,” Nxumalo stated.
Psychological toll
While the exact motive behind the escape and subsequent suicide remains unclear, some community members and online discussions have pointed to the psychological toll of incarceration as a possible contributing factor.
The Department of Correctional Services has announced a full internal investigation into both the escape and the events leading to Martin’s death.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are deeply concerning. We will ensure a thorough probe is conducted,” Nxumalo added.
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