MOPANI – Several trial-awaiting prisoners, who escaped from the police cells in the Mopani area during the past week, are behind bars again.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the area, Const Sylvia Hlungwane, five of the awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from the Sekgosese police cells last Friday morning at about 06:45.

According to the police statement, three of them were re-arrested at various places over the weekend. Those who are behind bars again are Mathews Monenela, Thomas Mphoko and Thomas Baloyi. Manonela was arrested for murder, rape and the possession of dangerous weapons.

Mphoko and Baloyi were, according to the statement, arrested for housebreaking and theft respectively. The five escaped from the Phalaborwa police cells last Tuesday evening at about 18:30. Four of them were rearrested over the past weekend.

The recaptured men are Lucky Rampula (26) who was arrested for murder, Steven Mashego (18) who was arrested for housebreaking, Patrick Gobela (24), whose reason for being kept in custody was house-breaking, and Lazarus Mongwe (theft).

Oupa Moeng (26) was still at large at the time of going to press. The police have appealed to people not to apprehend him if they come across him, saying they should contact the police instead, as he is extremely dangerous.

The statement further indicates that three of the four prisoners who fled from the Lulekani police cells last Tuesday evening are behind bars again. The rearrested were still to appear in court for escaping from lawful custody at the time of going to press.