Two of the six prisoners who escaped en route to the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court yesterday (January 14) have been rearrested.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has commended the swift apprehension of two fugitives, Nkululeko Nkomo and Robert Hlatshwayo.
The task team that was established immediately after the escape of six prisoners en route to Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court, has been working around the clock to ensure that the six are recaptured.
According to reports, the police van transporting the prisoners was ambushed by three armed men driving a silver Audi at the corner of Barry Marais and Rondebult roads.
Last night the task team made a breakthrough when they rearrested Nkomo and Hlatswayo in Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion, at a filling station on the corner of Summit Road and the R55.
Mawela thanked the public for all the tip-offs that the police have been receiving on the whereabouts of the fugitives.
“The public as our eyes and ears in the community is playing a vital role in the fight against crime.
“Your tip-offs are all assessed and followed up to ensure that we do not leave any stone unturned in our quest to return all the escapees to prison,” he said.
The manhunt for the remaining four escapees continues.
SIX BOKSBURG PRISONERS ESCAPE EN ROUTE TO COURT
Police have launched a manhunt after six prisoners escaped from a police vehicle in Boksburg while en route to Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court this morning at around 09:00.
According to SAPS provincial spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili, the police van transporting the prisoners was ambushed by a group of armed men, who were seen driving a silver Audi, at the corner of Barry Marais and Rondebult roads.
“Five of the six prisoners were due at court for a Dawn Park business robbery case, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm while the sixth prisoner was due for his first appearance on a shoplifting case,” explained Muridili.
The police provided five of the prisoners’ names – Nkululeko Nkomo, Robert Hlatshwayo, Thulani Dube, Augustine Moyo and Mbongiseni Mkandla.
Police opened an escape from lawful custody docket and are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the escapees as well as the suspects that freed them, to call Crime Stop on 086 00 10111 or send tip-offs using MySAPS App (all information can be supplied anonymously).
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