Threat of criminals on run

BREAK: 1,500 PRISONERS ESCAPE FROM HIGH-SECURITY MAPUTO JAIL ON CHRISTMAS DAY

- Masoka Dube

Dangerous criminals who escaped from a Mozambican maximum-security prison might cross into South Africa to continue their criminal activities, according to experts.

Mozambique is experiencing escalating civil unrest after its Constitutional Court upheld the October 9 election results, declaring Daniel Chapo of the governing Frelimo party as the next president.

In the latest unrest, which started after the ruling on Monday, 33 people have so far been killed and 15 injured in clashes with the country's law enforcement agencies.

More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from Maputo Central Prison on Christmas Day after taking advantage of the national protests.

Police chief Bernardino Rafael said the prisoners escaped when angry protesters vandalized a government building and police cars.

"The inmates disarmed the prison warders and freed their fellow prisoners," Rafael said.

He said 29 of the escapees had been convicted of terrorism, while others were also sentenced for serious crimes. According to reports, 100 of the escapees were captured and some reportedly killed by soldiers.