Johannesburg – Six men have escaped from custody at the Hazyview police station, Mpumalanga police said on Monday.

The men escaped on Sunday afternoon after they took the cell keys from two police officers serving them food, police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said.

“In the process they were manhandled by the fugitives… the thugs handcuffed and tied [up] both police officials with a rope which was cut from a cell blanket and robbed them of their personal belongings,” Mohlala said.

The men, who had been arrested for rape, murder, house robberies, and assault, also took a firearm which was in a safe.

Police were looking for the men.

SAPA