Pienaar SAPS escapees rearrested
Four suspects who escaped from lawful custody at Pienaar Police Station earlier this week were rearrested today.
According to reports, the men were all operating as a group in the commission of 32 recorded serious cases of house burglaries, including one murder. The incidents stretched across Tonga, Matsulu, Pienaar, KaBokweni, as well as Barberton.
“The SAPS greatly appreciates the excellent collaboration between the community and police members, along with the SAPS’ Crime Intelligence Unit, who tirelessly gathered information that led to the rearrest of the four suspects,” Brig Leonard Hlathi said.
“When the police made a call on Monday February 3 regarding their escape, the media swiftly responded by publicising their photos. This in turn alerted the community, hence the positive results we all pride ourselves in.”
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The provincial commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma, also congratulated all parties involved, and indicated that working as a collective can definitely assist in the fight against crime.
“I am elated about the rearrest of the suspects as they were surely going to terrorise the community again.”
“In the same breath, I want to pass words of gratitude to the committed and fearless community members as well as the astute media fraternity, with the aim of apprehending the suspects. Your relentless efforts do not go unnoticed and on behalf of the entire policing community in Mpumalanga, well done,” said Zuma.
All four men are expected to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on the prescribed date(s), facing an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody on top of the house burglary cases, as well as murder.
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