The police in Mpumalanga province has launched manhunt for six suspects escaped from custody at the Lydenburg police station in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The police revealed that the suspects dug the hole in the wall which they used to escape from the establishment.
“The discovery was made during a routine camp inspection by the police around 02:30 am when the officers noticed a leaking water pipe outside one of the holding cells. Upon further inspection, police discovered a hole in the wall. Members also established that there was a structural damage and the six suspects had escaped,” said statement.
The police released the names of the suspects which are four South Africans and two Mozambicans as follows: Fana Fenyane, Isaac Malope, Sergio Mandoza(Mozambican),Francisco Vasco Maganja(Mozambican), France Malatjie and Clayton Flank.
According to police statement, the suspects were arrested on various charges including murder, rape, possession of unlicensed firearm as well malicious damage to property.
The police confirmed that a manhunt has been launched to track down and re-arrest the suspects.
The SAPS call on members of the public who may have information on the whereabouts of these to come forward.Information can be reported via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or send information via MySAPS App. All received will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has vowed that the suspects will be hunted down and be brought back to where they belong. The General further emphasised that a probe will also be conducted to find out on what actually led to the escape of the suspects.