Police still on manhunt of dangerous escapees
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday January 17, 2017 15:34
As of late Sunday three of the 18 escapees had been captured and are due to appear in court sometimes this week. All the three men were arrested on Sunday. The 18 fugitives were in detention at the Gerald Estates centre for illegal immigrants and escaped after destroying a fence with manhole cover. Since the escape, police officers have been redeployed in various parts of the city and its surroundings.
Soldiers and intelligence officers are also part of the search. Roadblocks have also been mounted in and around the city to enhance the search for the prison breakers. A helicopter has also been sparingly used in the manhunt.
“We have notable leads that we are following. We are on the trails of many prisoners so far. What I can assure the members of the public is that we will certainly arrest the fugitives,” Gerald Estates police station commander Edward Leposo said.
Leposo said that new information suggests that the figutives are still somewhere within the city and its environs. Prior to Leposo’s current stance, there were fears that the prisoners might have fled the country. Fifteen of the fugitives are Zimbabweans while three are Batswana.
“We have also received a lot of helpful information from the members of public,” he highlighted.
Sixelo Sibanda and Molimbeni Moyo who were on remand awaiting trial for murder offences are part of the three prisoners who have since been arrested. They were the first to be arrested on Sunday morning at Masingwaneng village.
Mthukuzisi Sibanda who is awaiting trial for illegal possession of ivory was nabbed at Tati Siding village at Phusumane ward in the afternoon the same day.
The other 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, Bruce Masuku. Only three of the escapees were serving sentences for offences such as murder and robbery. The rest who are remand prisoners are also facing serious offences such murder and robbery.