Two sentenced inmates escaped from Nkandla and Vryheid Correctional facilities yesterday.

The escapees are 34-year-old Siyabonga Sikhakhane, serving 16 years’ imprisonment (of which eight years is suspended) for housebreaking and theft. He has been incarcerated at Nkandla Correctional Centre since March 23, 2022.

The second escapee is 29-year-old Siphamandla Gift Simelane, serving two years for similar offences: Housebreaking and theft. He was admitted at Vryheid Correctional Centre on October 3.

The Emergency Support Team of Correctional Services is working with SAPS in an effort to rearrest the two. The circumstances under which the two inmates escaped are being investigated as they were both out with the garden work teams.

The community is urged to contact the nearest police station should they come into contact with the two escapees.