Police in the Omusati region have called on the public for assistance in tracing 10 suspected criminals after they broke free from the Onandjaba holding cells on Wednesday.
Omusati police spokesperson Warrant Anna Kunga said the escape prompted them to embark on a massive manhunt, which has so far yielded no positive results.
The male escapees face serious cases, ranging from murder, housebreaking with intent to steal, robbery, stock theft, poaching and rape.
The suspects are from Namibia and Angola.
It is alleged that they escaped by cutting a hole in the roof of the facility’s dining hall during the late hours of Wednesday evening.
“We have no idea how the suspects managed to cut the whole thing, or what they had used to cut through the roof,” she said.
There is strong suspicion that the escapees might have fled to neighbouring Angola for refuge.
Police investigations continue.
Kunga cautioned the public to be on high alert, saying “We want to appeal to the public to be very careful. These are suspected criminals. We also want to plead to the public to please report any suspicious movements so that we re-arrest these suspected criminals”.