"The two escapees are still at large," said Lt-Col Khensani Magoai.

A court orderly sustained a slight wound, and a police officer was shot in the head during Tuesday's shooting.

The Times named them as Constable Eddie Ngobeni and Sergeant Theopilus Mogafe, the court orderly. Ngobeni was apparently trying to save Mogafe when he was shot.

The two prisoners, robbery accused Lucky Segwape, 28, and Nthabeleng Matlatfi, 26, were due to appear in court on charges of house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms. They emerged from the holding cells and opened fire in the courtroom.

Ngobeni was due to testify in their case. It was unclear how they got the weapon.

The two fled the court and hijacked a car outside. The vehicle was abandoned in Atteridgeville, where they hijacked another car, a red VW Polo.

The pair would now face additional charges of attempted murder, hijacking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

Magoai said police on Wednesday began searching for a third person who had escaped from the same court. He appeared in court on Tuesday on charges of armed robbery.

"Today it was discovered that he was not on the list of the awaiting-trial prisoners that were taken to correctional services," she said.

"It is unknown how he escaped and an investigation is being conducted."

Police did not provide an update on the two wounded officers.

Sapa