A manhunt is underway after two men, who allegedly locked two police officers in the back of their van after disarming them, had escaped from Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Bafana Ngwenya (34) and Khulani Zungu (29) escaped after appearing in court for formal bail application, police spokesman, Noxolo Kweza, said in a statement.The suspects were held in a holding area between Courts 7 and 8. Police suspect they forced open a steel mesh door and escaped through Court 8 between 2pm and 3pm.
During court proceedings Ngwenya and Zungu were remanded in custody until January 14.
Gauteng police commissioner, Lt Gen Lesetja Mothiba, said no stone would be left unturned in establishing what led to the escape.
“If there are any indications of negligence on the side of our members, they will be charged,” Mothiba said in a statement.
Four people were arrested after they allegedly disarmed two police officers and locked them in the back of their police van on November 4.
The four appeared in Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, hijacking and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The police officers were approached by four people in Rabie Ridge, while eating lunch at a food outlet around 3pm. They pointed a firearm at the officers, took their guns, locked them in the back of their patrol vehicle, and fled. The assailants, who were joined by three others, then hijacked a car and fled.
Police gave chase and the suspects lost control of their vehicle. Three men were arrested and three firearms seized. Two of the firearms had been stolen from the police officers. The third was taken from a Johannesburg metro police officer in September.
The fourth suspect was arrested the following day.
Video footage of the officers being forced into the back of the police van went viral on the internet.
