Bloemfontein -
A prisoner was shot dead and four re-arrested after they escaped from the Selosesha police station, Free State police said on Wednesday.
Colonel Thandi Mbambo said six prisoners escaped from the Selosesha cells on Sunday night. One is still at large.
The six assaulted, overpowered, and locked up two policemen who were giving supper to prisoners, then fled with the cell keys.
One of them, Thabo Khamare, 28, was spotted at a tavern in Section A, Botshabelo, on the same night. Mbambo said Khamare was shot dead during the attempt to arrest him.
Another prisoner, John Lebakeng, 27, was arrested at Botshabelo on Monday night.
Later on the same night, Ephraim Sechaba and Khomare and Tshidiso Setlai were arrested in the Pieter Swarts informal settlement near Bloemfontein.
Mbambo said the four men would appear in the Selosesha Magistrate's Court on Thursday, facing a charge of escaping from lawful custody.
Police were still searching for Mthebelele Alfred Sotyo, 51, who was from the Joe Slovo settlement in Phahameng, Bloemfontein. - Sapa