LIMPOPO -In the first escape, police in Tubatse, outside Burgersfort are searching for a 32-year-old man, Vincent Phetla who escaped from custody on Sunday afternoon, 16 July.
“The detailed circumstances behind his escape are subject to police investigations,” says police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
Phetla was arrested for a series of armed robberies which occurred in the Burgersfort and Steelpoort areas two months ago.
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He was arrested last week during an ongoing Intelligent Led Joint Operation.
“It is alleged that the suspect escaped near Ga-Mashamothane, Zone 6 village and disappeared,” Ngoepe says.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Warrant Officer Mamphoke at 076 416 6876; the crime stop no. 0860010 111/ the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest police station.
In the second escape, police are searching for a 20-year-old man, Gift Tonko Tshehla, in Motetema outside Groblesdal.
Photo: Lim SAPS
Ngoepe says Tshehla escaped from lawful custody after he faked his identity as that of another suspect.
“It is alleged that a 21-year-old man, who claimed to be related to the suspect, paid bail of R300 for Tshehla using the name of another suspect and took him away,” Ngoepe explains.
Tshehla was arrested for a rape case, which he committed in 2016.
He was later linked to five more rape cases which he committed during 2014 in which he targeted 16-year-old girls.
Anyone with information regarding Tshehla’s whereabouts are urged to contact Detective Warrant Officer Sekgala Thomas Madiba at 082 296 8397/Detective Warrant Officer Seleka Phillimon Mmaphuthi at 073 846 9144/Detective Warrant Officer Kgerubi Moela at 071 355 0577; the crime stop number 0860010111; the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest police station.
“The search for these suspects and investigations into both incidents continue,” Ngoepe concluded.
