Limpopo’s ‘most wanted fugitive’ rearrested near Thohoyandou

A joint sting operation by the Crime Intelligence Unit, the Thohoyandou Crime Prevention Unit, the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the Public Order Police Unit and detectives in Thohoyandou led to the arrest of one of Limpopo’s most wanted fugitives, reports Review Online.

The 40-year-old man was arrested at Hamagidi village outside Thohoyandou on 3 May and according to a statement by police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo has been linked to a series of crimes that were committed in the Thohoyandou and Acornhoek, Mpumalanga policing areas.

The man was nabbed for 19 crimes which range from house robberies, burglaries, theft out of a motor vehicle, kidnapping, attempted rape, rape, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, to escaping from lawful custody.

“The operation was activated following information received from members of the community about the suspect who was in possession of a seemingly unlicensed firearm in the area. The suspect was cornered and ordered to surrender but he did not cooperate and opened fire on police officers. They retaliated and the suspect was shot, injured and taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” Mojapelo said.

A firearm, a magazine with two rounds of live ammunition and two knives were confiscated.
“Further police investigations have found that the suspect escaped from the police holding cells in the Acornhoek Police Station in December 2016,” the statement reads.

SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba applauded police officers on the arrest.

The man is set to appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court soon, as well as before the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court on a charge of escaping from lawful custody.

The police investigation continues.