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17 prisoners escape from cells
07/12/2006 14:39 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Seventeen prisoners escaped from police station cells in KwaMhlanga and Dennilton in Mpumalanga, police said on Thursday.
In Dennilton, nine men cut their way out of their cell in the early hours of Wednesday, spokesperson Superintendent Malcolm Mokomene said in a statement.
They cut their way into the ceiling, sawed through cell bars and gained access to the roof.
Thirteen others remained in the cell. Two of the nine were illegal immigrants.
On Wednesday night in KwaMhlanga, eight out of 24 awaiting-trial prisoners escaped from a holding cell.
The men escaped through the roof, where police found a pair of pliers.
The nine Dennilton escapees are Abram Maseko, Ronny Ngcobo, Innocent Moima, Silas Mthethwa, Lucky Radebe, Aubrey Sefoka, Kato Khosa, Antony Manyisa and Kurahoni Khabula.
Those who escaped in KwaMhlanga are Lucas Mashigo, Clive and Aaron Mabena, David Mtsweni, Simon Masombuka, Philemon Mathebula and Vusi Nhlapo. The name of the eighth man was not known.
They had been arrested for crimes ranging from rape to armed robbery and housebreaking.
Mokomene warned the public not to try to apprehend the men but to contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600-10100.
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