Two awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from the Dalton police station cells at the weekend, minutes after murdering a fellow inmate, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Monday.

Inspector Joey Jeevan said two officers were opening the cell doors to allow prisoners into a court yard on Saturday when the incident took place.

Escapee Sipho Ncgobo held down the female constable while his co-escapee Sanele Khuzwayo punched her colleague in the face. They took the cell keys.

"Prisoners Khuzwayo and Ngcobo then proceeded to cell number two, which they opened and informed all the prisoners to escape," Jeevan said.

However, a constable confronted the fleeing prisoners at gunpoint. He fired warning shots into the air, and ordered all the prisoners to lie down.

"Amidst the mayhem, Khuzwayo and Ncgobo managed to get to the kitchen, where they climbed out of the window and fled into the nearby field making good their escape," Jeevan said.

Police found Mfana Kwamanda (18), dead in his cell. He had bruises to his neck.

"Initial investigations at the scene have established that prisoners Khuzwayo and Ngcobo were involved in an argument with Kwamanda during the early hours of the morning," said

"They overpowered Kwamanda and assaulted him. It is believed that they planned their escape after realising that Kwamanda had been fatally injured," Jeevan said.

It was not known what the argument was about.

Both escapees were awaiting trial prisoners facing charges of arson, theft, malicious damage to property, theft out of motor vehicle, and housebreaking.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop on Toll Free number 08600-10111.

Sapa