police mother kidnapping

A stock photo of handcuffs. Photo: Unsplash

Eastern Cape police launch manhunt after suspects escape police custody

Police have re-arrested one suspect and have launched a manhunt for six more after the group broke out of police custody on Wednesday.

police mother kidnapping

A stock photo of handcuffs. Photo: Unsplash

Eastern Cape police have established a dedicated task team and launched an urgent manhunt for suspects who escaped police custody on Wednesday night, after the men overpowered officers and robbed them of a firearm before making a break for it. 

Eastern Cape SAPS launch manhunt 

Police have successfully re-arrested one of the suspects, who is aged 21-years-old, and are continuing their pursuit of the remaining six suspects. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said that a shootout ensued when the suspects were able to steal a firearm from one of the officers. 

“A task team that has been established to track, trace and re-arrest the seven suspects who escaped from lawful police custody at Elliot SAPS last night at 18:45 has made a breakthrough with the re-arrest of one suspect, aged 21,” he said. 

“It is alleged that the seven escapees overpowered the police officers, robbed an official state firearm from the members and fled on foot. Shots were also fired randomly as they fled and no injuries were reported.”

He said that police are warning community members not to try and re-arrest the escapees themselves, as they are “armed and dangerous”.  He did urge the public to report their whereabouts to the nearest police station should they come into contact though.

Names of escapees released  

Police have released the names of the escapees who are still at large:

  • 1.Lihle Rashula
  • 2.Dumisanu Tom
  • 3.Inga Nkompela
  • 4.Sfundo Sothondoshe
  • 5. Yophi Samkelo Rasmeni
  • 6.Phakamani Phoswayo

Images of the men and the full statement from SAPS can be found here.

Public requested to assist in re-arrest of escapees

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Liuetenanet General Liziwe Ntshinga, said that the public will likely play a key role in the re-arrest efforts. 

“I urge the task team to work tirelessly to ensure all escapees are recaptured and put behind bars. We urge the public to work with us through sharing of information.”

This is not the first time suspects in custody have escaped in the Eastern Cape in recent months, with eight awaiting-trial prisoners breaking out from Mount Ayliff police cells on Saturday 22 August.