-Staff Writer / 29, Sat Nov 2025
Six dangerous suspects arrested for murder and rape amongst other have escaped from a lawful custody in Lydenburg police cells in Mpumalanga this morning. The six suspects includes 2 Mozambiquen nationals and four South Africans.
The police have since launched an intensive manhunt for the six suspects who are said to have broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning on 29, November 2025.
According to the provincial police spokesperson Mpho Nonyane-Mpe , officers made the discovery at about 02:30 during a routine camp inspection.
They noticed a leaking water pipe outside one of the holding cells, which prompted further investigation.
It was then that officers found a hole in the wall and identified structural damage, confirming that the detainees had escaped.
Nonyane-Mpe said that the fugitives have been identified as Fana Fenyane, Isaac Malope, Sergio Mandoza (a Mozambican national), Francisco Vasco Maganja (a Mozambican national), France Malatjie, and Clayton Flank.
“The escaped suspects were being held on charges ranging from murder and rape to possession of an unlicensed firearm and malicious damage to property.A manhunt is underway to trace and re-arrest the six. The SAPS urged community members to report any information that could assist investigators. Tip-offs can be shared via the Crime Stop line on 08600 10111 or anonymously through the MySAPS app, ” Nonyane-Mpe said.
Meanwhile the acting provincial police commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has since warned that the police would not rest until the suspects are brought back into custody.
Mkhwanazi added that an internal probe will also investigate the circumstances that allowed the escape.
News Junction (Gold Standard)