MHALA – The police in the Lowveld have started a manhunt, following an incident that took place at the Mhala police station cells on Sunday evening. According to the spokesperson of the police in the Lowveld area, Capt. Moatshe Ngoepe, the incident took place between 17:00 and 19:00.

According to the police statement, five men were kept in the cell together with other awaiting trial prisoners when the incident took place. They reportedly used a hacksaw blade to cut open the roof sheets of the cell in which they were being kept.

They then got out of the cell one after the other through the small opening which they had cut in the roof of the cell. The five were arrested for crimes ranging from armed robbery to attempted murder and were awaiting trial.

Capt. Ngoepe identified the escapees as Christopher Theko (20), who had been arrested for attempted murder and armed robbery, Nkosana Mohane (21), who was in custody for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm; Tumelo Mashile (19) (housebreaking and theft), Elijah Tsela (19) (attempted murder) and a 16-year-old youth, who was in custody for house breaking.

The statement indicates that the sixth prisoner, Sabelo Mafuta (34) was re-arrested while still on the police station premises. He was trying to jump over the police station's security fence when they arrested him. Mafuta had originally been arrested for armed robbery.

Ngoepe revealed that they were busy conducting internal investigations as to how the hacksaw had managed to get into the cells. He appealed to people who know the escapees' whereabouts to contact the nearest police station. He advised people not to try to arrest them, as they are extremely dangerous.