Fugitive arrested in Sandton after escaping Maputo prison
One of the more than 1 500 prisoners who escaped from the Maputo maximum prison during unrest, was arrested in Sandton.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has commended the SAPS Border Policing High Density Team on March 12, for arresting a convicted prisoner who escaped from the Maputo Maximum prison at a time when the country experienced unrest in December 2024.
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Nelson Simiao Massango escaped along with more than a thousand other prisoners.
According to reports, he was convicted for murder in 2015 and sentenced to at least 20 years.
“The SAPS Border Policing High Density Team has been hard at work, ensuring they track and trace those that may have made their way into South Africa.”
Masemola added that the suspected fugitive of justice was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton.
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“Upon further investigation, he is being investigated and may be linked to several cases of motor vehicle theft in Gauteng where he would rent 4×4 bakkies, smuggle them over into Mozambique and have them sold in that country.”
He said Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria is engaged with Interpol NCB Maputo on the latest developments.
“This should send a stern warning that SA is not a hideout for criminals.”
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