GIYANI – The police in the Mopani area are investigating seven cases of escaping from lawful custody, following two separate incidents that took place in the area over the past weekend.

The first incident took place at the Calcutta Police Station on Sunday afternoon at about 17:00. According to the spokesperson of the police in the area, Capt Moatshe Ngoepe, five awaiting-trial prisoners cut open the roof of the exercise room with a sharp instrument and escaped.

The escapees are Lucky Mathebula (23), who was arrested for rape and armed robbery, Agripa Mahalule (22), who was arrested for rape and common robbery, Wandile Thehle (20), who was arrested for armed robbery, Musa Phosa, who was arrested for rape and Madala Charles Lewele (23), who was arrested for rape and armed robbery.

According to the statement, Mathebula was re-arrested on Tuesday evening, while the others were still at large at the time of going to press. Anybody who has information should contact Capt John Ngwenya at Tel 082 5658 438.

The other incident took place at the Namakgale Police Station on Monday morning at about 02:30. That is where Dankie Damburi (22), of Nwamaranga Village near Giyani, who was arrested for rape and armed robbery, and Sam Ndlovu (38), of Namakgale Township cut the roof of the cell in which they were kept and escaped.

Ndlovu, who was re-arrested a few hours after the incident, was serving a 10-year sentence for the theft of a motor vehicle. His case was finalised last week. Damburi was still on the run at the time of going to press. According to the statement, the Area Commissioner has established a Special Task Team to investigate how the sharp instruments got into the cells.