Three fugitives rearrested
The remaining suspects include Thulani Dube, Mbogiseni Mkandla and Augustine Nqobani Moyo.
Two of the six Boksburg prisoners who escaped police custody while being escorted to Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court have been rearrested by the police task team, while the third suspect handed himself over on January 17.
This follows them being on the run from the police since their escape from custody on January 14 in Dawn Park, Boksburg.
Nkululeko Nkomo and Robert Hlatswayo were rearrested in Olivenhoutbosch, Pretoria. The police also arrested an unnamed suspect for abetting.
The third escapee, Bafeletse Nyembe, handed himself over at the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court. Nyembe has appeared in court on a charge of theft and an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody. He has been remanded in custody and will appear again in court on January 27.
Nkomo and Hlatswayo have also appeared in court for business robbery, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm as well as escaping from lawful custody. They have been remanded in custody and are due in court again on January 27.
The provincial commissioner of police, Lt-Gen Elias Mawela, commended the swift apprehension of the two fugitives.
Mawela said the task team that was established immediately after the escape has been working around the clock to ensure the six are recaptured.
He thanked the public for all the tip-offs that the police have been receiving on the whereabouts of the fugitives.
“The public, as our eyes and ears in the communities, is playing a vital role in the fight against crime. Your tip-offs are all assessed and followed up to ensure we do not leave any stone unturned in our quest to bring all the escapees back to prison,” he said.
Background story
Gauteng police launched a manhunt after six inmates escaped from custody while en route to court in Vosloorus in the morning of January 14.
According to national police spokesperson Col Brenda Muridili, the police truck transporting the prisoners was ambushed by a group of armed men driving a silver Audi at the corner of Barry Marais and Rondebult roads in Boksburg.
“Five of the six prisoners who escaped were due in court for a business robbery case reported in Dawn Park, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and the sixth escapee was due for his first appearance on a shoplifting case,” said Muridili.
The manhunt for the remaining three escapees continues
The remaining suspects include Thulani Dube, Mbogiseni Mkandla and Augustine Nqobani Moyo.
Police are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the escapees, as well as the suspects involved in freeing the accused, to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send tip-offs on the MySAPS app.
