Murder suspect escapes custody of court holding cells
Police in Mpumalanga are searching for a male suspect who escaped from lawful custody in the holding cells at Emakhazeni Magistrate's Court on 25 August.
According to a media statement issued by the SAPS, Karabo Chiloane (29), is reported to have been attending court on Thursday after being arrested in connection with murder in November 2020, and was also facing various charges, including attempted murder, hijacking and business robbery which were carried out in Machadodorp.
Police members who were on duty indicated that inmates were reportedly being transported from Middelburg Prison to attend court at Emakhazeni Magistrate’s Court at around 09:30.
When other inmates were being accompanied to the holding cell by the court orderlies, it is alleged that Chiloane somehow got inside a consultation room next to the holding cell without being noticed.
At around 10:15, when the court orderlies went to fetch him so that he could appear in court, it was then realised that he had gone awol.
A case of escape from lawful custody was immediately opened with an additional charge of aiding an inmate to escape. Police are equally probing circumstances surrounding how Chiloane managed to escape while police are still in pursuit of him.
Preliminary investigations has since revealed that a padlock attached one of the burglar doors was missing immediately after it was realised that he made his way to an undue freedom.
Police are appealing to members of the public, including families of the suspect to assist with information that may lead to his re-arrest to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
Alternatively members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has strongly condemned the escape of the suspect and called for his re-arrest.
