The suspect, a Nigerian national, escaped whilst he and another accused were being booked in at the Hendrina police station.

Hendrina communications official, David Mbenakasi, remained mum over the circumstances. According to him the policemen were falsely accused after their suspect ran away whilst they were busy charging his co-accused.

The officers claim that this happened because of the arrogance of the accused and not because they aided him in escaping.

He has reportedly been rearrested in Ermelo and is currently in custody in Middelburg.

The police officers appeared in the Hendrina Magistrates court and was released on bail. Their case was transferred to the Middelburg Magistrates Court but it has since been withdrawn.

Capt. Khanyisile Zwane, Middelburg police spokesperson, said that the matter will be investigated and dealt with internally.

The names of the two officers were withheld by the Hendrina police.

After several attempts, the name of the Nigerian national who is allegedly in custody could not be obtained from either the Middelburg or the Hendrina police spokespersons.

• The Hendrina and Kwazamakuhle communities recently held a protest wherein they accused some of the police officers in Hendrina of aiding and protecting Nigerian drug dealers in the area.