Wrong man arrested after Waainek prison break

Police have confirmed that a person who was involved in an accident in Bloemfontein on the day seven prisoners escaped from the Waainek Correctional Facility in Makhanda was not Bennet Kwarrie, as initially reported.

This means five men are still at large after the October 18 prison break.

Five of six poachers, along with two other inmates, escaped from the Waainek Correctional Facility in the early hours of Tuesday October 18.

Francis Chitiyo, Trymore Chauke, Misheck Chauke, Simba Masinge, Nhamo Muyambo and Abraham Moyane were convicted for conspiracy to poach rhinos in the Makhanda high court on September 30.

Misheck Chauke was not named as one of the escapees.

The group were due to be sentenced on November 4.

The other two escapees were Luvuyo September, detained for charges of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery; and Kwarrie, detained for housebreaking and theft and attempted murder.

Hours after the escape, it was reported that Kwarrie had been arrested after being injured in an accident in the Free State.

“Police can confirm that a person who was involved in an accident in Bloemfontein on the day of the prison break was not Bennet Kwarrie, as initially reported,” police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said.

Masinge was arrested in the bush east of Joza, Makhanda, close to the N2, a day after the escape.

Trymore Chauke, who broke cover by asking for food from people in Seven Fountains at about 6.30pm on Sunday October 23, was quickly rearrested.

“A task team comprising of Correctional Service and SAPS members are working around the to clock to ensure the rearrest of the five fugitives,” Nkholi said.

Still at large are Chitiyo, Muyambo and Abraham Moyane (from the Chitiyo gang), September, the only South African among the seven, and Kwarrie.

Police have urged community members to continue to alert them to any suspicious or unknown people in their neighbourhoods.

People are warned not to confront anyone, but to contact the police as the suspects are dangerous.