Hazyview - Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela has launched an internal investigation into the escape of 11 awaiting trial prisoners.
The 11 escaped from the Hazyview police station on Monday morning following an alleged altercation with two police officers.
"The provincial commissioner has launched an internal investigation into the escape and has vowed that any member found to be involved will face the full might of the law," said Mpumalanga police spokesman Sergeant Gerald Sedibe on Tuesday.
Sedibe said police were also asking the public for help in re-arresting the escapees.
He said the prisoners escaped when two police officers went to investigate a noise in one of the holding cells.
"Some of the inmates accosted, assaulted and robbed one of the officers of his firearm. After the robbery, 10 of the suspects escaped through the door and one through the roof of the cell."
He said the suspects are considered armed and dangerous and warned the public to not approach them directly, but to call the police.
"They are all still on the loose and we request the public not to effect an arrest on their own but to contact police. They are considered dangerous because they were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, rape, armed robberies, business robberies, house robberies, car hijacking and other serious crimes," Sedibe said.
The names of the suspects are: Sipho Ngwenya, 22, Mahlatse Matsane, 32, Life Ubisi, 23, Sipho Mndawe, 38, Godfrey Hlongwane, 29, Sandile Matsane, 25, Stanley Masuku, 27, Solomon Moses Mnisi, 35, Paul Hlophe, 24, Tshepiso Evidence Malope, 30, and Thabiso Malope, 30.
Anyone with information that can lead to the re-arrest of the suspects can contact Captain Jacob Mbuyane at 082 449 0231 or call their nearest police station.
