Four prisoners broke out of the Rooigrond Correctional Facility near Mahikeng in the North West on Tuesday.
Prison authorities and police have launched a manhunt for the fugitives.
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The department of correctional services did not say how the prisoners escaped.
Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said: “Investigations will be instituted and the circumstances relating to the escape will be revealed once investigations have been concluded.”
The four escapees were named as:
- Zacharia Francisco Nyalimate, a Mozambican national serving a 27-year sentence for housebreaking and murder;
- Alfred Gwambe, a Mozambican national serving 65 years for housebreaking, theft and possession of a stolen vehicle;
- Siyabonga Sithole, a South African serving a life sentence for rape, theft and housebreaking; and
- Edward Madiba, a South African serving 15 years for robbery and possession of a firearm.
The department called on the public to assist with any information that could lead to their rearrest.
Nxumalo warned the four were considered “dangerous”.
“If spotted, information should be shared with the nearest police station.”
TimesLIVE
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