Two of the 12 inmates who escaped from custody at Komatipoort police station, Mpumalanga, on Saturday evening have been rearrested at the Lebombo border while trying to cross into Mozambique.
This after they disarmed police officers in a scuffle on Saturda night.
Two of the escapees, Reginaldo Fulaho, 27, and Narsisco Julius Mavalela, 27, were rearrested hours later at the Lubombo border as they tried to escape to Mozambique.
Joseph Ubisi, 35, Josiah Ndlovu, 30, Ruben Macuacua, 30, Amos Cossa, 25, Ademeto Madevu, 18, Alsido Manique, 24, Sergio Tembe, 36, Fransisco Setoho, France Baloi, 29, and Smanga Khoza, 50 are still at large.
Colonel Donald Mdhlili said police and other law enforcement agencies are on high alert after the jail break.
Mdhluli said some of the men were from Mozambique and others from South Africa.
He added that the men were previously arrested for rape, theft, robbery and kidnapping, robbery with firearms, possession of suspected stolen properties, and possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles. “They were awaiting court appearances.”
“According to the report, circumstances surrounding the escape is still under investigation.
“However, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, visited the station immediately after the incident and appointed a team led by a senior officer to get to the bottom of what might have transpired,” said Mdhluli.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that 12 inmates escaped from the police’s holding cells after battling with police officers. One police officer is believed to have sustained injuries.
“Two service pistols as well as ammunition were also stolen by the suspects during the scuffle. Soon after their escape, members of the security cluster were activated and that is time when two of the suspects, Reginaldo Fulaho and Narsisco Julius Mavalela, were cornered.
Mdhluli said one was arrested on Saturday night by SAPS members of the SA National Defence Force at the border as they attempted to cross over to Mozambique.
He added that they appreciated information from the members of the public that led to the arrest of the two escapees and pleaded with the community for information on the suspects still at large.
Source: News24, IOL, Times Live, The Citizen, The South African, image from Twitter: @swank_ZA