By Staff Reporter
LYDENBURG – Police have launched an intense manhunt after six suspects escaped from lawful custody at the Lydenburg Police Station in the early hours of Saturday, 29 November 2025.
The escape was discovered during a routine inspection around 02:30am, when officers noticed a leaking water pipe outside one of the cells. Further investigation revealed a hole in the wall and structural damage, confirming that the suspects had broken out.
The escaped suspects are Fana Fenyane, Isaac Malope, Sergio Mandoza (Mozambican national), Francisco Vasco Maganja (Mozambican national), France Malatjie and Clayton Flank.
The group had been detained on serious charges, including murder, rape, possession of an unlicensed firearm and malicious damage to property.
Police have since launched a full-scale manhunt to track and re-arrest the escapees.
The SAPS is urging members of the public with any information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS App. All information will be treated confidentially, and callers may remain anonymous.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has vowed that the fugitives will be found and returned to custody. He also confirmed that an internal probe will investigate the circumstances that led to the escape.
