‘Notorious’ criminal denied bail
Masilo Elias Gafane (31) was rearrested after he handed himself over to the Polokwane Police Station on Tuesday, 13 June,
POLOKWANE – Police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe says Gafane and his three co-suspects appeared in the Nebo Magistrates Court on Thursday, 29 June where they were denied bail.
“Their case has been postponed to 2 August 2017 for another bail application and for further police investigation to continue,” he concluded.
POLOKWANE – The case against Masilo Elias Gafane (31) has been postponed to 28 June 2017.
He appeared on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and robbery with aggravated circumstances and has been remanded in custody.
Gafane handed himself over to the Polokwane Police Station on Tuesday, 13 June, after a massive manhunt by the police in the province.
The notorious and highly wanted suspect is wanted for a string of crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking to possession of suspected stolen vehicle, firearm and ammunition without a license.
Crimes he and his accomplices committed in the Letsitele, Jane Furse and Westernburg areas between June 2015 and December 2016.
14 June
POLOKWANE – Masilo Elias Gafane (31), a notorious and highly wanted suspect, handed himself over to the Polokwane Police Station last evening (Tuesday).
He was brought in by his lawyer after a massive manhunt by the police and a circulation that was made a week ago throughout the media, said Police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
Gafane is wanted for a string of crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking to possession of suspected stolen vehicle, firearm and ammunition without a license.
Crimes he and his accomplices committed in the Letsitele, Jane Furse and Westernburg areas between June 2015 and December 2016.
He is also wanted in connection with a carjacking last week in the Maake Policing area outside Tzaneen, added Ngoepe.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba and his management thanked all the media houses and residents of Limpopo for their continuous support they are providing to the police in this province in the endeavour to fight crime.
Gafane appeared before Polokwane Magistrate Court soon.
5 June
POLOKWANE – Police spokesperson Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe says an investigation team in one of Gafane’s cases were not satisfied with his release and referred the matter to the Polokwane High Court for review of his bail.
The High Court then ruled that he was not supposed to have been released and a warrant of arrest was issued against Gafane, but Ngoepe says he is still on the run.
“The Saps Provincial Tracking Team have launched a massive manhunt for this highly wanted criminal on a series of crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, carhijacking, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,” Ngoepe says.
Gafane, who appeared before the Nebo Magistrate Court on the 19 December 2016, was released on R4 000 bail by the local magistrate.
Ngoepe says Gafane and his co-suspects are guilty of terrorising communities in Westernburg, Letsitele outside Tzaneen, Jane Furse and Lebowakgomo between June 2015 and December 2016.
Gafane is also one of three suspects in the Anisah Moosa kidnapping case.
Read more:
Kidnappers face a landslide of charges
Warrant of arrest issued for Moosa’s kidnappers
In Letsitele, along Mavele and Xihoko road, Gafane and his co-suspects shot and killed Musa Xiluwa during a carhikacking, where they stole his Mercedes Benz.
Furthermore, in Jane Furse, he was part of a group who robbed a security officer of his firearm and cash at the Bopedi Spar Complex.
In addition, he was part of a group who were intercepted by Limpopo SAPS in Jane Furse, enroute to commit a business robbery at the local meat market at the Jane Furse plaza.
“The suspects were then arrested on 3 December in which an AK’ 47 rifle, a pistol and ammunition were recovered,” Ngoepe explained.
Anyone who knows about Gafane’s whereabouts is urged to contact Captain Boshomane at 079894550; SGT Kubayi at 0716020268; SGT Makola’ at 0716015174 or the nearest Police Station.
