Thabo Ali Molobela (35), who escaped custody in September and stands accused of a shooting spree involving his wife, child, and other relatives, has been re-arrested by Limpopo police.

Molobela, who escaped from police custody at Sekororo Hospital on September 20, now also faces a charge of escaping lawful custody, in addition to two murder charges and four counts of attempted murder.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says Molobela was re-arrested on Tuesday night at his hideout in an abandoned house in Sedawa village, following an intelligence-led operation by Hoedspruit detectives.

“The accused escaped a week after his initial arrest [in which he] shot himself in the process. At the time, police officers managed to swiftly disarm him and rushed him to hospital for medical treatment. He was under police guard when he escaped,” he adds.

Molobela was initially arrested after he went on a shooting spree on August 19 in Makgophong village, Magatle, that resulted in two deaths and four injuries. Among the victims were his wife, their child, and other relatives.

“The suspect appeared in the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court yesterday and his case was postponed to October 11 for further investigations.

“He has been transferred to Mokopane where he will appear on other charges. The circumstances surrounding the escape are still being investigated,” says Ledwaba.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe lauded the team responsible for Molobela’s re-arrest for ‘working tirelessly around the clock to ensure the accused is tracked down and put behind bars where he belongs’.