Johannesburg – Six inmates escaped from Lydenburg Police Station in Mpumalanga early on Saturday morning, prompting a police manhunt.
They were held on serious charges, including murder, rape, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and malicious damage to property.
“The Police have launched a manhunt after six suspects escaped from lawful custody at the Lydenburg Police Station in the early hours of today, Saturday 29 November 2025,” police said in a statement.
#sapsNW The Police have launched a manhunt after six suspects escaped from lawful custody at the Lydenburg Police Station in the early hours of today, Saturday 29 November 2025.
The suspects were arrested on various charges including murder, rape, possession of unlicenced… pic.twitter.com/61nc0kwcoD
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 29, 2025
“The suspects were arrested on various charges including murder, rape, possession of unlicenced firearm as well malicious damage to property. A manhunt has been launched to track down and re-arrest the suspects.
Aording to Mpumalanga News, the breakout was discovered during a routine inspection when officers found a hole in a cell wall, reportedly made by damaging a washbasin.
Four of the six escapees have been identified—Francisco Vasco Maganja, Fana Fenyane, Clayton Flank, and Sergio Laurenco Mandoza—while photos of the remaining two, Isaac Malope and France Malatjie, are yet to be released.
Two of the fugitives are Mozambican nationals.
SAPS has called on the public to assist in locating the suspects, providing confidential reporting channels via #CrimeStop and the #MySAPSApp.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
