SABRINA DEAN
Inmates sharing a cell with the seven prisoners who escaped from Harrismith prison on Friday told police the escapees allegedly had two firearms in their possession.
Eastern Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring says the suspects face charges ranging from rape, housebreaking and robbery to stock theft. He has urged the public not to confront the suspects if they see them but rather contact police.
He said there were 14 prisoners in the section where the escape took place. “Those seven who remained said the seven escapees were armed with two firearms,” he said.
He added, however, that the allegation is still being investigated.
Two of the seven were apprehended a few hours after the escape. Joel Mosia and Thabiso Moshoadiba had been convicted and were serving sentences of 12 years for rape and ten years for housebreaking and escape from police custody respectively. They were also awaiting trial on additionAL charges.
“This first arrest is very important for us. We are also very happy nobody was injured from the time of the escape, through the hijacking until they were caught,” Mophiring said.
Mophiring said the getaway car they Hijacked in Harrismith, a Nissan Almera, was also recovered and has since been returned to its owner undamaged.
Mophiring said police believe they could still be in the Qwaqwa area but cannot discount the possibility they may have fled elsewhere. A manhunt is underway.
The missing prisoners are Kwanelo Dladla, serving 3 years for stock theft; Nkosinathi Mdlela, serving fifteen years for robbery; Jonas Tautona, serving 18-months for housebreaking; Moeketsi Mphane, serving three years for housebreaking; and Simon Msimanga, 36-months for housebreaking.
All five were also awaiting trial on other charges.
Mophiring has urged the public not to confront the suspects if they see them but to rather call the police. “I think that is the most important thing so that we are able to deal with these inmates,” he said.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts can contact police on 10111 or on the crimestop number 08600 10111 or send an sms to the crimeline at 32211.
