South African Police in Hlanganani outside Giyani, Limpopo, have launched a manhunt for a 25 year old awaiting trial prisoner, Knowledge Lucky Mashava, who escaped from the police holding cells at Hlanganani on Wednesday morning, 24 June, at 05:45.

According to the police, the escapee who is a Zimbabwean national, was arrested for nine offences that he allegedly committed from June 2018 to February 2020 around Hlanganani, Giyani and Letsitele areas.

“The cases against him include murder, house and business robberies as well as burglaries at residential places. Preliminary investigations revealed that the escapee used an unknown object to cut open a certain portion in the cell building,” explained the Limpopo provincial police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

He said members of the community are advised not to try and arrest the suspect as he is considered dangerous, but should instead provide any valuable information to the police.

He said the criminal aspect of this escape and an internal probe into the whole circumstances surrounding the incident have already begun.

“Anyone with information that can assist the Police in rearresting this suspect is requested to contact Captain Hlanganani Walter Marivate on 082 468 8673 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the nearest police station,” he concluded.