North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on police to act speedily in arresting the seven awaiting-trial prisoners who escaped from Mmabatho police station yesterday.

“We call on the police to act swiftly in arresting the fugitive. We will also request a full report on the circumstances which led to their escape. And we guarantee that heads will roll if any complicity or negligence is found,” said Premier Modise.

Premier Modise said it was especially worrying that the man suspected of being the Hammerman, who terrorised communities in and around Mafikeng by raping and killing women with a hammer, was believed to be among the escapees. 

“Failure to re-arrest the suspect swiftly will be a step back on the war against the scourge of violence against women and children,” cautioned Modise. 

It is believed that the suspects escaped through the ceiling after cutting the mesh wire of the cell.

Police say the escapees are dangerous and that if sighted members of the public must not confront them but instead report them to the nearest police station.

They faced charges that include murder, hijackings, house robberies and theft.-TDN
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