An ongoing manhunt for what police say are two extremely dangerous and heavily armed escapees from the Goedemoed Correctional Centre near Rouxville continues.
Theodorus Botha, who is serving two life sentences for murder and Johannes Pheko escaped at midday on Tuesday after they overpowered a warder and stole his firearm before escaping with his silver Corsa bakkie.
Francois Laux, a member of the Hawks Unit for Organised Crime who was also the investigating officer in Botha’s case in 2001, says the escapees were last seen in Botshabelo. Police still believe they are in the vicinity. Laux says the men are still driving the stolen bakkie.
He says Botha was convicted of murdering his 8-year-old daughter and a domestic worker.
He has appealed to the public of Mangaung to be on the lookout for the escapees and alert police if they are spotted. The public should not approach them.– Christal-Lize Muller
