South Africa: 2 Of 5 Prisoners Who Escaped From SAPS Re-arrested
One of the four Zimbabwean prisoners who escaped from SAPS custody while being transported to a South African court on Friday has been re-arrested.
The quartet, Augustine Nqobani Moyo, Nkululeko Nkomo, Mbongiseni Mkandla, and Thulani Dube together with a South African national, Robert Hlatshwayo, was freed movie-style after armed men ambushed a police van and sprung them free.
They were due to appear in Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court on charges of armed robbery, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
A silver Audi allegedly cut off the police van at the corner of Barry Marais Road and Rondebult Road in Brakpan.
Three armed suspects exited the Audi and allegedly released the awaiting trial prisoners before fleeing the scene.
South African police said Hlatshwayo and Nkomo were re-arrested on Friday night, and the search continued for the three other escapees.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela commended the swift apprehension of the two fugitives. Said Mawela:
We thank the public for all the tip-offs that the police have been receiving on the whereabouts of the fugitives. The public is our eyes and ears in the communities and plays a vital role in the fight against crime.
He added that efforts were underway to bring all the escapees back to prison.
More: ZimLive
