POLOKWANE – Escaped awaiting trial prisoner, Petrus “Small” Moyo, was rearrested in ga-Mushi village on Friday afternoon, 17 August, about 20 km from the crime scene.
This, after a manhunt was launched by Limpopo police in Villa Nora, outside Lephalale, following the escape of two awaiting trial prisoners in the early hours of Friday morning.
According to police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, police were transporting prisoners from Lephalale to Polokwane. Along the way, near Steilloop on the Marken road, the duo cut open the roof of a moving police truck, jumped out and vanished in the nearby bushes. Police were summoned and a manhunt ensued.
Moyo has since appeared before the Lephalale Magistrate Court on a charge of escaping from lawful custody and was remanded in custody until 4 September.
Read more: Emslie murder suspect rearrested after escaping Lephalale holding cells
Ngoepe says the two escapees, Petrus ‘Small’ Moyo and Witness Simango, are both Zimbabwean Nationals.
“Petrus”Small” Moyo (28) was arrested for killing Dr Werner Emslie and injuring his wife during a farm attack in September 2017,” he said.
On 20 September 2017, Dr Werner Emslie (then 55) was attacked by four unknown men, two armed with pistols (hand guns) and shot dead. His wife was also shot but survived the attack with serious injuries.
Read more: Lephalale doctor killed, wife and daughter wounded in farm attack
Witness Simango (33) was arrested for a series of house robberies.
“On 11 July 2018, four suspects broke into Leadwood Nature Reserve and tied up two housemates. The suspects ransacked the house and broke into a safe where they got away with firearms and a number of items. The suspect and his three accomplices were shortly arrested following intensive investigations and the accused were also linked to other cases of house robberies and burglaries around Lephalale and surrounding policing areas,” Ngoepe explained.
Anyone with information which can lead to the re-arrest of the Simango, may contact Detective Warrant Officer Oosie Oosthuizen at 082 783 5623; the crime stop number 08600 10111; the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest police station.