Annanias Mathe
Encyclopedia
Annanias Mathe is a notorious serial killer, serial rapist and armed robber from Mozambique
who achieved further notoriety in 2006 by being the only person to have ever escaped from the maximum high-security C-Max
Penitentiary in Pretoria
, South Africa
.
Mathe was initially arrested on 51 counts of murder
, attempted murder, rape
, hijacking and armed robbery in November 2006.
Whilst being detained in the A6 ward of C-Max Penitentiary which houses dangerous and hardened criminals, Mathe managed to escape by smearing himself with petroleum jelly and sliding out of his cell window, measuring only 20 cm x 60 cm. This daring escape led the South African press to dub him 'Houdini'. Mathe had escaped from police custody before, previously in April 2005.
His latest escape prompted a nationwide manhunt, the events of which were closely monitored by local media. He was re-arrested on 4 December 2006, when he hijacked a car in the affluent Johannesburg suburb of Craighall. Unknown to Mathe, the vehicle was fitted with a satellite tracking device, which led police and private security companies to Mathe after a chase which saw him being shot three times in the leg and buttocks.
Mathe was found guilty on 64 charges including rape, attempted rape, attempted murder, robbery and theft, and was sentenced to 54 years imprisonment with a minimum of 43 years. Six prison wardens linked to his latest escape were dismissed.
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
who achieved further notoriety in 2006 by being the only person to have ever escaped from the maximum high-security C-Max
C Max
C Max is the maximum security division of the Pretoria Correctional Services located in Central Pretoria, South Africa. It is run by the South African Ministry of Correctional Services.-Background:...
Penitentiary in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Mathe was initially arrested on 51 counts of murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
, attempted murder, rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
, hijacking and armed robbery in November 2006.
Whilst being detained in the A6 ward of C-Max Penitentiary which houses dangerous and hardened criminals, Mathe managed to escape by smearing himself with petroleum jelly and sliding out of his cell window, measuring only 20 cm x 60 cm. This daring escape led the South African press to dub him 'Houdini'. Mathe had escaped from police custody before, previously in April 2005.
His latest escape prompted a nationwide manhunt, the events of which were closely monitored by local media. He was re-arrested on 4 December 2006, when he hijacked a car in the affluent Johannesburg suburb of Craighall. Unknown to Mathe, the vehicle was fitted with a satellite tracking device, which led police and private security companies to Mathe after a chase which saw him being shot three times in the leg and buttocks.
Mathe was found guilty on 64 charges including rape, attempted rape, attempted murder, robbery and theft, and was sentenced to 54 years imprisonment with a minimum of 43 years. Six prison wardens linked to his latest escape were dismissed.