Manhunt launched for four dangerous prison escapees

Four awaiting trial prisoners escaped the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Services facility in Pretoria, the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed on Saturday.

Dangerous inmates escape Pretoria prison

The inmates are wanted for a variety of crimes ranging from theft to armed robbery.

Their names are Morris Tyavana, Medicine Girenzi, Amos Chikwange and Sam Hlungwane. The latter is a South African citizen, while the other three hail from Zimbabwe.

Tyavana is wanted for armed robbery, with the other three in for theft. Girenzi is also awaiting trial for house robbery.

Police have appealed to the public to assist with the location of the prisoners.

“The Department is appealing to the public to assist with any information that may lead to their re-arrest.”

Those with information on the quartet’s whereabouts are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

RT #sapsGP Dangerous suspects #escaped from Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services in the early hours of this morning. Manhunt launched for 4 #escapees. Info-> #CrimeStop 08600 10111 or #MySAPSapp MEhttps://t.co/oVR7NsM2CU pic.twitter.com/ZC1Ai2tGY1

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 16, 2020

The correctional facility where the four men escaped was recently in the news when it recorded its first COVID-19 case in April.

This made the prison the third in the country to record a case of the coronavirus, with West Bank prison in East London reporting most of the confirmed infections within the Department of Correctional Services.

Earlier in the month, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that 19 000 “low-risk” prisoners will be released on parole across the country. This excludes inmates serving life imprisonment for crimes related to gender-based violence and sexual offences, child abuse, murder, attempted sabotage and terrorism.

Also not eligible for parole are those declared dangerous in line with the Criminal Procedure Act, and those certified mentally ill and detained in line with the Mental Health Care Act.

Other categories include offenders who committed violations under the Domestic Violence Act, as well as those detaineed for  armed robbery or robbery with aggravating circumstances.