Six inmates awaiting trial made a daring escape from the Mashishing police cells in Lydenburg in the early hours of this morning, November 29.

Members of the police were conducting an inspection around the premises when they noticed a leaking water pipe outside one of the cells at about 02:30. “Upon closer investigation, the members noticed a hole in the wall. They went inside the cell and discovered that a washbasin had been removed from the wall and that the cell wall was damaged,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe.

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She said the inmates escaped through the wall after apparently using the basin to break it.

The escapees are:
* Fana Fenyane – rape
* Isaac Malope – rape
* Sergio Mandoza – a Mozambican national facing a murder charge,
* Francisco Vasco Maganja – also a Mozambican national facing a charge of murder
* France Malatjie – possession of an unlicenced firearm
* Clayton Flank – malicious damage to property.

The ages of the escapees had not yet been released at the time of publishing.

Nonyane-Mpe urged members of the community to remain vigilant. “These are extremely dangerous suspects, so please avoid confronting them. Alert the police instead,” she warned.

Members of the community with information that may assist in recapturing the escapees are urged to contact their nearest police station. They may also call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the My SAPS app.

“All information will be treated as confidential. The investigation into the circumstances of the escape is ongoing,” said Nonyane-Mpe.