Johannesburg - Five of the seven convicted murderers and rapists who broke out of the Groenpunt maximum security prison early on Thursday have been found.
Correctional Services spokesman Logan Maistry said one man was re-arrested on Thursday and the other four were apprehended on Friday morning in Deneysville, Free State.
Prison authorities have been unable to provide photos of the men or clear details of any of them.
The convicts were jailed for murder, contract killing, kidnapping, robbery and rape. One of the escapees was in jail for the gang rape of a pregnant woman and a 17-year-old.
Another escapee was serving time for killing a student constable.
The six are Phillip Tivane, Teko Mphuthi, Zandile Elvis Nkhabu, Majafe Celso Romao, Ndlovu Kwazi Nkosi and Petros Kgatliso Mabela.
It is still unclear how the seven managed to walk out of the facility, which houses more than 1 000 prisoners.
Maistry said a joint law enforcement team had been working around the clock to find them.
“We are confident that the remaining two inmates will be arrested shortly,” said Maistry.