One arrested, six prisoners still wanted

Eastern Cape police launched a manhunt after seven prisoners escaped from Makhanda Correctional facility on Tuesday, 18 October at 4am in the morning. One of the prisoners who escaped, a Zimbabwean national, Simba Masinge has been recaptured in Bloemfontein.

It is alleged that the prison guard arrived for standby duties to visit the prison when she saw lights that were on in one of the units. It was discovered that the seven prisoners escaped through a window. The circumstances surrounding the incident are forming part of the investigation.

The Spokesperson of the Department of Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo said that there was tampering with the infrastructure by cutting of the windows grilles.

“The grilles are designed to be almost impossible for any person to cut through. So, it is important to understand what type of tools were used and how long did it take them to cut off those grilles,” said Nxumalo.

Nxumalo said the level of the prison guards’ inspection of the facility is one of the areas they will investigate. “Even the tools that they used, how did they manage to smuggle them inside our facility, that is a big question, something that we cannot take lightly we need to respond to that,” he said.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has implemented a 72-hour activation plan following the incident. A report identifies the escaped prisoners as follows:

1. Luvuyo September, a South African citizen, who was detained for charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery.

2. Bennet Kwarrile, a Zimbabwean national, who was detained for housebreaking and theft and attempted murder.

3. Simba Masinge, a Zimbabwean national, who was in prison for rhino poaching.

4. Trymore Chauke, a Zimbabwean national, who was in prison for rhino poaching.

5. Nhamo Muyambo, a Zimbabwean national, who was detained for rhino poaching.

6. Abraham Moyane, a Zimbabwean national, who was detained for rhino poaching.

7. Francis Chitiyo, a Zimbabwean national, who was detained for rhino poaching.

Police are warning the community that these prisoners are dangerous and should not be approached instead police must be contacted. Communities are also urged not to protect these criminals as they will be committing an offence if found to be aiding and abetting them.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these criminals is urged to contact the investigating officer, Detective Captain Glen Peter on 082 301 9427 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station.