COOKHOUSE – Police have launched a manhunt following the escape of two detainees from Cookhouse Police Station in the Eastern Cape.
The escape was discovered at approximately 21:20 on Thursday, 4 December when a member of the public visited the station to report a robbery.
During this report, the complainant mentioned Atshaxole Booi (23) as a suspect in the incident.
“When members went to conduct an inspection in the cells following this information, that was when police discovered that two detainees had escaped from lawful custody,” said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli.
The two escapees have been identified as Atshaxole Booi (23) and Patrick Ndokweni (34).
According to police, Booi was being held in the station’s detention cells in connection with various serious crimes.
“Both escapees are still at large, and we have opened a case of escaping from lawful custody,” Nkohli confirmed. “There is also a second case of aiding and abetting that has been opened for further investigation.”
The circumstances surrounding how the two men managed to escape from the secure holding facility remain under investigation.
Police have not disclosed specific details about the security breach to avoid compromising the ongoing inquiry.
Authorities have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that might lead to the recapture of the fugitives.
“We are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the escapees to contact us immediately,” said Nkohli. “The public should not approach these individuals if spotted, but rather contact police directly.”
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Atshaxole Booi or Patrick Ndokweni is urged to contact authorities on either 082 413 6632 or 082 301 8504.
Both men are considered to be potentially dangerous, and the public is advised to exercise extreme caution and report any sightings to police immediately rather than attempting to apprehend the suspects themselves.
