Five arrested after escape, three at large
All of the escapees have further charges for aggravating crimes and were to appear in court in January and February.
BETHAL – The regional commissioner of the Correctional Services in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region, Mr Alfred Tsetsane, visited the Bethal Correctional Centre on 6 January following reports of eight offenders who escaped on 4 January.
Mr Tsetsane confirmed that eight offenders dug their way out of their cells through a wall and jumped over a fence.
All of the escapees have further charges for aggravating crimes and were to appear in court in January and February.
Their details are:
* Leon Jeremiah Mdakane serving nine years for possession of a firearm, robbery and escape.
* Zakhele Jappie Nkambule serving six months for escape.
* Andrew Monareng serving three years for housebreaking and theft.
* Luwi Michael Malang serving 308 days for parole violation.
* Mndaweni Gcina serving eight months for escape.
* Caiphus January Nzima serving six months for escape.
* Paulos Mashigoane serving six years for attempted rape.
* Vuyisile Petros Maseko serving 805 days for parole violation.
The escapees are from Leslie, Kinross, and eMbalenhle.
The Department of Correctional Services appeals to the community to not approach these escapees, but to report their whereabouts to the nearest police station.
The department takes any escape seriously and will leave no stone unturned in upholding the good record of no escapes.
As a result of information from the community, the DCS Tracing Team and the police have already re-arrested five of the escapees on Monday.
Two of them were arrested at 3.30pm and two at 10pm on 5 January.
Another escapee was rearrested today, 6 January at 3am.
Three of the escapees are still at large.
Mr Tsetsane and the acting national commissioner, Mr James Smallberger, visited the centre and instructed that a preliminary investigation should be conducted.
