MOPANI – The police in Mopani were, at the time of going to press, still searching for four prisoners who escaped from custody. The first incident took place at the Ritavi Magistrate's Court on Monday afternoon at about 15:00.

According to Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, the spokesperson for the police in the area, Christopher Bayana (19) of Mariveni village was sentenced to two years in jail for common robbery in the Ritavi Magistrate's Court shortly before he escaped.

They kept him inside a small cell within the magistrate's offices, waiting for the police vehicle to take him to the police station. While in the cell, Bayana escaped through the window and disappeared.

The other incident took place at the Phalaborwa prison cells on Saturday morning. That is where Neverdie Baloyi (23) of Giyani, Ronny Ramalepe (22) of Bolodebu and Elvis Moeng (21) of Phalaborwa escaped through the roof of the exercise room and vanished in the bushes.

According to the police statement, Moeng was serving a three-year sentence for escaping from custody and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. Baloyi and Ramalepe were awaiting trial and were arrested for housebreaking and theft and murder respectively.

According to Ngoepe the police are conducting internal investigations. The police have appealed to people not to attempt to arrest the four men in case they meet them, saying they are extremely dangerous. They should instead report them at the nearest police station.