MOPANI – The search for three of the four dangerous prisoners who escaped from custody was still on at the time of going to press. The incident took place at the Calcata Police Station in the Mopani Area on Sunday evening at about 18:00.

According to the spokesperson for the SAPS in the area, Capt Maano Sadiki, the four awaiting-trial prisoners, Thabo Mokoana (29), Lavian Shakoane (27), Livet Mathebula (26) and Delane Mpangane (24) were in the exercise cell when the incident occurred.

They cut open the roof of the exercise cell with a hacksaw blade and escaped. According to the statement, Mpangane was re-arrested at the police station premises shortly after the incident.

Mokoena was originally arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm. Lavian Shakoane’s reason for being in jail was a pending murder case. Mathebula is alleged to be a member of an armed robbery syndicate that robbed some businesses in the area at some point and that is why he was kept behind bars.

The police are also investigating how the hacksaw blade managed to get into the cells. They appealed to anyone who comes across any of the runaway prisoners not to confront them, saying they are extremely dan-gerous. For any information relating to the case, the police can be contacted at Tel 0860010111.