Police on Tuesday asked the public to be on the lookout for four “dangerous prisoners” who escaped from the Rooigrond Correctional Facility, near Mahikeng in the North West.
Two of the escapees are Mozambicans – Zacharia Francisco Nyalimate who is serving a 27-year sentence for housebreaking and murder, as well as Alfred Gwambe serving 65 years for housebreaking, theft, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
South Africans Siyabonga Sithole – jailed for life for rape, theft, and housebreaking along with Edward Madiba serving a 15-year sentence for robbery, and possession of an illegal firearm also escaped and are on the run.
The Department of Correctional Services said it was working with police to find the escaped inmates.
“The department is appealing to the public to assist with any information that may lead to the re-arrest of these four,” said a terse statement from the DCS.
“They are considered dangerous and if spotted, information should be shared with the nearest police station.”
Police have launched a manhunt and investigations will be instituted and the circumstances relating to the escape.