Prison Break Manhunt Recaptures Three
Chakalisa Dube | Monday January 16, 2017 16:41
This is contrary to social media posts that alleged on Sunday that 11 had been recaptured. The prisoners were arrested on Sunday morning. Of the 18 fugitives, 15 are Zimbabweans while three are Batswana. They allegedly used a grey V6 as their getaway vehicle.
In addition, three of the escapees are convicts for offences such as murder and robbery. The rest are remand prisoners who also facing serious offences such as murder and robbery.
Gerald Estates Police Station commander, Edward Leposo confirmed the arrests, but declined to give the names of those who have been arrested.
Leposo said that the police do not rule out the possibility that the fugitives might have fled the country.
“We have, however, assembled a strong team of soldiers, police officers and prison officials in our bid to deal with the situation. We have even deployed helicopters in a bid to effectively manage the situation,” he said, adding that he cannot provide more details in fear of compromising the manhunt.
Leposo urged members of the public to be on high alert, as the escapees are considered dangerous.
However, The Monitor has established through reliable sources that Sixelo Sibanda and Molimbeni Moyo, who were on remand awaiting trial for murder offences are among the three prisoners who have since been arrested.
The duo is said to have been arrested at Masingwaneng village. At press time police were also said to be tracking Mthukuzisi Sibanda who was rumoured to be hiding at Tati Siding village at Phusumane ward.
Earlier on unconfirmed reports mostly circulating on social media placed the number of those arrested at five.
Since the escape, police, prison officials and soldiers have launched a massive manhunt around the second city and its surroundings in a bid to arrest the escapees.
Yesterday Botswana Prisons divisional commander North senior superintendent, Sekano Sekano told The Monitor that the prisoners escaped after destroying a fence during lunchtime.
He said that they might have capitalised on the mix-up that usually happens during lunchtime.
He said the prisoners used a manhole cover to destroy the fence.
“It looks like this was a planned escape. We do not rule out negligence on our part as prison officials. The focus is now on arresting those who have escaped. After arresting them we will then investigate what led to the escape and put remedial measures,” Sekano said. This is the second time that prisoners escaped from custody in Francistown in less than a year. Last June two prisoners, Abraham Sibanda and Shadreck Tsoko, escaped from custody and are yet to be arrested.
The escapees who are still at large are Edwin Ncube, Brilliant Thembisani, Thulani Thabani, Lindisiwe Molome, Samodimo Molotisi, Givemore Mutoloba, Rowland Moyo, Mosa Wills, Charlotte Ndlovu, Chakalani Barati and Bruce Masuku among others.