Africa-Press – South-Africa. Two escapees, who along with five other inmates made a daring break from the Makhanda prison in October last year, have been rearrested over the weekend.
Nhamo Muyambo and Francis Chitho are back behind bars after authorities tracked them down in Mthatha’s eMpindweni settlement on Sunday.
Their arrest means that all five Zimbabwean rhino poachers who used hacksaw blades to break out of the Waainek Prison on 18 October last year, are back in prison.
The five poachers who allegedly masterminded the escape are Chitiyo, Muyambo, Trymore Chauke, Simba Masinge and Abraham Moyaneo.
They escaped just 18 days after being convicted for poaching rhino horns at top Eastern Cape game reserves and were awaiting sentencing.
Still at large are Bennet Kwarrile, detained for housebreaking, theft and attempted murder; and Luvuyo September, charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery.
The pair reportedly took advantage of the escape and made a dash for freedom.
They remain at large.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said the two arrested on Sunday were apprehended in a two-day intelligence-driven operation that took place in two districts.
The operation ended with the arrest of seven people and seizure of housebreaking equipment valued at over R100 000, said Nkohli.
The first arrest took place on Saturday when police heard about five suspects travelling in a silver Hyundai I 10 targeting a cellphone battery tower in the Tarkastad area.
The police formed a tracking team and stopped the vehicle on route R61 towards Tarkastad and about 20km outside Komani.
The police questioned five occupants of the vehicle and requested a search which led to the discovery of housebreaking tools.
Nkhohli said a preliminary investigation revealed that one of the occupants is wanted for a rhino poaching incident in the Western Cape.
The five men were arrested and detained, said Nkohli.
Nkohli said the following morning a task team of several specialised policing units worked around the clock, and their investigation led them to a house in Mthatha where they found Chitiyo and Muyambo.
The suspects are due to appear in court on Tuesday.
The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, commended the task team for their tireless efforts, which resulted in the breakthrough.
“I hope these arrests will bring about a decrease in the killings of rhinos in the province,” added Mene.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
