Margate Saps re-arrest escaped prisoner in Gcilima
Margate station commander Brigadier William Slabbert applauded the team for the arrest and thanked the community for its role in working together with the police.
Escaped prisoner Thembelani Nkonyeni has been re-arrested. He was caught in Gcilima last night (Friday 3rd), at about 8pm.
Margate Saps spokesman Sergeant Sibu Ncane confirmed the arrest. He said the Margate Saps rapid response team received information that Nkonyeni was hiding at Thokothe in Gcilima.
The team included Constables Musa Shawe, Sizwe Nondaba and Bulelani Ndovela, with team commander Captain Luvuyo Nomaqhiza, as well as Detective Warrant Officer Michael Welsh.
“Upon their arrival they found the man. He tried to run away but the officers were equal to the task and duly arrested him,” said Sgt Ncane.
Nkonyeni was charged for ‘escaping while in custody’ and detained at the Margate police station cells.
He is expected to appear in the Ramsgate Magistrate’s Court soon.
Margate station commander Brigadier William Slabbert applauded the team for the arrest.
He also thanked the community for its role in working together with the police.
ORIGINAL STORY
Awaiting trial prisoner Thembelani Nkonyeni has once again made a run for it from Margate police station cells.
The 32-year-old Gcilima man is believed to have escaped by cutting passage ceiling as well as asbestos to exit the cells and the building.
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Margate spokesman Sergeant Sibu Ncane confirmed the incident, which took place on Monday this week, at around 6pm.
“He was in custody for a housebreaking case which occurred late last year,” he said.
Nkonyeni also made headlines in 2016 when he feigned illness and escaped from police custody.
At the time, he told police he had a serious medical condition and therefore required urgent medical attention.
He was then placed in a wheelchair as he said he could not walk to the police vehicle.
He escaped once he was at the clinic after pretending to need the toilet.
Nkonyeni was later re-arrested and went for trial.
He was sentenced to three years in prison before being arrested last year again for housebreaking.
Police are appealing to the community to assist them on the whereabouts of the man by contacting Margate Saps at 039 3129800, or report anonymously at 082 417 7784 alternatively 10111 or 112.
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