Eastern Cape police have re-arrested four of the eight awaiting trial prisoners who escaped from the Mount Frere police station earlier this month.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni, says the rearrests were made between Saturday and Monday in Mount Frere.
"It is alleged that members who were on duty visited cells when they notice that eight awaiting prisoners had escaped. They were in custody for various charges including robbery aggravated, attempted murder, possession of dangerous weapon and theft, to name but a few," Tonjeni said.
He said the who are back behinds bars have been identified as Lindokuhle Vundle, Xolisa Mbiko and Mandla Mdludlu, all from Mount Frere and a Zimbabwean national George Sithole.
"Additional charges of escaping from lawful custody will be added when the suspects appear in court," Tonjeni said.
He said the other four who are still on the run are Xolani Mlisela, Abonga Mkhupheni, Siphumelele Mphothulwana and Unathi Songelwa.
According to police, the prisoners managed to dig a hole in the back of the cell wall using "a steel cable found inside the cell". There were 29 prisoners in the holding cell at the time but only eight escaped.
Eastern Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga, said that "the Task Team is close on the heels of the remaining prisoners."
"Several leads have been followed and are paying dividends. We urge the community members of Mount Frere and surrounding areas to report any suspicious persons in their areas and must not try to apprehend them but immediately inform the police", said General Ntshinga.
