The prisoners, who include murder and rape suspects, broke through iron bars and windows before escaping through the fence of a jail known as Sun City. Prison department spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said the inmates were considered dangerous but the department had a good record of re-arresting prisoners on the run.

“The only recent incident was in the Western Cape in Pollsmoor where six inmates escaped but we managed to re-arrest all of them within 48 hours. So, we are also confident that even with these 16 we will find them and get them back to face charges,” he was quoted as saying.

A journalist with public broadcaster SABC has tweeted photos of the suspects, and what they're wanted for:

Mweli Masilela@mwelimasilela

 Be safe, be on the look out. These men are still on the run, they escaped the Johannesburg prison (Sun City) yesterday. #PrisonEscape

6:56 AM - Apr 10, 2018