Three inmates rearrested after escaping during prison riot

Three of seven inmates who escaped from the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility have been rearrested.

Limpopo police confirm two escapees were traced to a house in Louis Trichardt on Saturday morning.

Provincial police spokesperson Motlafelo Mojapelo says: “The duo, Jabulani Isaac Mahlangu and Thomas Munyai, were serving sentences for rape and murder respectively."

Mojapelo says this brings to three the number of escapees who have been rearrested. 

The first inmate was nabbed on Friday

Mojapelo says four prisoners are still on the run.

Seven inmates escaped from the prison on Thursday night. Police had initially indicated that the number of prisoners on the run was six. 

Mojapelo says the prisoners managed to flee during a strike by prison warders.

The inmates went on a rampage on Thursday - torching and vandalising prison property.

"Preliminary investigations reveal that some of the prison warders were on strike and the prisoners apparently took advantage of the situation," Mojapelo says.