Eastern Cape manhunt for four dangerous convicts

A SEARCH is under way for four men who escaped from the Mdantsane Correctional Services Centre yesterday morning.

Details of the escape remain sketchy as the Department of Correctional Services tries to establish how the prison break took place.

Officials warned yesterday that the four men should be considered very dangerous and had been convicted for crimes including murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping, All four also have a series of pending cases.

Eastern Cape Correctional Services spokeswoman Vuyo Gadu said the escape was noted at about 7.20am during breakfast. She said prison clothes had been found behind the centre, near the perimeter fence.

Lihle Zikholisile, 19, of Mthatha, was serving 35 years for robbery, burglary, double rape and murder. He also has a pending robbery case and was due in court on February 22.

Zimbabwean Norman Mukunuwendo, 22, of Uitenhage, was serving 15 years for robbery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

He has a pending robbery case and is due in court on February 28.

Phikolomzi Sonakele, 23, of Mqanduli, was serving 12 years for robbery and has a rape case pending.

Sandile Vena, 22, of King William’s Town, was serving 23 years for rape, robbery and kidnapping and also has a pending robbery case.

Gadu issued an appeal to anyone with information that could lead to the men’s rearrest to contact the nearest police station, but not to approach the men.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci did not say what was being done to track the men down.