Three escapees arrested

2007-08-07 16:42

Durban - Three of the inmates who escaped from Empangeni's Qalakabusha prison have been arrested, police said on Tuesday.

Director Phindile Radebe said two of the men had been arrested in Mtubatuba and another in Esikhawini, about 15km south of Richards Bay.

Radebe said Mandlendoda Mbuyaza, 31, who was serving two years for escaping, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Mtubatuba. Thobani Sibiya, 26, was arrested at 11:00 in Mtubatuba while Mhlosi Mdluli, 27, was arrested at about 08:00 in Esikhawini.

Both Sibiya and Mdluli were serving life sentences for charges such as housebreaking, armed robbery and murder.

Another seven men remain on the loose.

The 10 men are thought to have escaped by cutting through a fence in the prison yard and driving off in a blue Volkswagen Polo.

Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour was due to hold a press conference at the prison later on Tuesday.

- SAPA