Alleged cop killer on the loose after escaping custody

UPDATE: The suspect has been apprehended

The police are on the hunt for an alleged cop killer, who broke free from custody near the Middelburg Magistrates Court.

The accused on the run is believed to be Denis Spencer Chipenza (35), who along with Paulio Ticha Quembo (33), Nelson Mudavahu (33), and Lawrence Simango (34), allegedly shot and killed Detective Sergeant Simon Mbonani and seriously wounded Sergeant Sthembiso Magubane.

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Chipenza is said to have escaped after exiting regional court today.

It was alleged that Chipenza was wearing a red t-shirt, which he has since disposed of.

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SAPS focused in on the area surrounding Dr Derek Bissett’s paediatrics offices on OR Tambo Street, and entered the premises after the alarm continuously went off. They were accompanied by a member of the Hawks security team.

They then questioned residents that lived next to the paediatrician’s office, but they said that they had not seen or heard anything suspicious.

The following appeared in a previous issue of the Middelburg Observer:

Sergeant Simon Mbonani commemorated in Pretoria on September 1

Sergeant Simon Mbonani (43), a former Middelburg Police Detective who was killed on duty, was commemorated in Pretoria on September 1.

Sergeant Mbonani was killed on April 3 last year while responding to a tip-off about diesel theft at a mine near the N4.

He was travelling with his colleague, Sergeant Sthembiso Magubane.

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Upon arriving at the scene, they found a yellow diesel tanker.

As the officers approached the tanker, the occupants opened fire.

Later that day, the police traced and arrested four foreign national suspects, Paulio Ticha Quembo (33), Nelson Mudavahu (33),

Lawrence Simango (34), and Denis Spencer Chipenza (35), who were linked to the murder.

Sergeant Mbonani was commemorated on September 1 during the annual Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings.

The SAPS hosted the event to honour the men and women in blue who died in the line of duty between April 2023 and March 2024.

At least 39 police officers died during this period nationwide.

Sergeant Mbonani served as a detective at the Middelburg Police Station for 15 years.

His name was engraved on the National Memorial Wall at the Union Buildings to eternalise his memory and signify the nation’s gratitude for his bravery, loyalty, and the sacrifices he made to serve his country.