South Africa cannot handle security for it's own citizens let alone crowds of international football supporters

Alexandra court still a security risk

More escapes feared with Christmas approaching

The Alexandra Magistrate's Court has seen three notorious gangs escape from its cells in four years - but lessons are not being learnt as virtually nothing has been done to increase security since the last jail break in September.

(Pic) Sandton Knife Gang

With Christmas approaching, a police source at the court has warned that criminals would grow more desperate to avoid spending the holidays behind bars.

After the Razor Gang broke free on September 10, the Justice Department admitted the court's security was not in "the best state of health" and promised "urgent" intervention.

But almost three months later, all they can boast is a change of locks at the holding cells (which was done immediately after the escape as the criminals ran off with the keys) and bold plans for the future.

"Nothing has been done," said the police source. "Our cries for help are falling on deaf ears. We've been crying for two years about how dilapidated the building is."

The source said there was a lot of talk emanating from meetings, but no actual work on the ground.

The court's electric fence is torn and broken; the walls need raising and fixing; many windows are smashed; locks and leg irons are old and often faulty; and entrances are not policed properly.

Last year, the main prisoner gate came crashing to the ground and lay broken for two months, with prisoners being led in and out through a gap.

On top of that, The Star has reported how the court has constantly been plunged into darkness, suffered water cuts and was cut off from the outside world by dead phone lines.

In 2006, the vicious Sandton Knife Gang escaped from the court, were recaptured and later convicted.

In September, the violent Razor Gang and members of a gang that robbed a jewellery store broke free. Many, including alleged leader Raymond "Razor" Zulu, were rearrested and appeared in court last week.

But they returned to the same court in which they overpowered a group of orderlies, before jumping over the walls and escaping.

The police source said that officers have been rearranged to boost security, but no new members have been assigned.

Justice spokesman Tlali Tlali said meetings have been held to discuss increasing officer visibility and placing a senior official in the holding cells.