LOWVELD - Three dangerous men, who escaped from the Phalaborwa police cells three weeks ago, have been re-arrested. The incident took place during the morning of June 14, at about 05:00.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the Lowveld area, Insp. Hasani Mabaso, the trio, Thomas Mathonsi (20), Thomani Makhubele (23) and Somon Maponya (20), were waiting for a vehicle to convey them to the Pietersburg prison when the incident occurred. They reportedly cut the burglar bars of the cell in which they were kept and escaped.

According to the police statement, Mathonsi was awaiting trial on a murder charge, while Maponya and Makhubele had already been sentenced for various offences. The statement indicates that Maponya was serving a 10-year sentence for housebreaking and theft, while Makhubele was serving a 12-year sentence for murder.

Mathonsi and Makhubele were re-arrested three days after the incident. They were arrested at an abandoned farmhouse in Gravellote during the night of 17 June.

According to the police statement they were fast asleep next to a big fire when they were arrested. The statement further indicates that Maponya was arrested the following day, 18 June. He was wandering around on a farm during the night when the police confronted him.

The men appeared in the Phalaborwa magistrate's court last Thursday, 20 June. They were not asked to plead and their cases were postponed to 31 July. They were not granted any bail.

The police have commended the community for their co-operation towards the re-arresting of the three escapees whom they described as "extremely dangerous".