Petrus Moyo who escaped from a moving Police vehicle outside Lephalale on Friday was rearrested the same day and briefly appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of escaping from lawful custody after which the case was postponed to 4 September.
Moyo accompanied by another awaiting trial prisoner, Witness Simango, were being transported in a Police van from Lephalale to Polokwane to appear in court when they allegedly used some kind of object to cut through the roof of the van and fled into nearby bush.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that a manhunt was launched immediately and Moyo was at Ga-Mushi village about 20 km from the scene moments after his escape.
Moyo was in custody for the alleged killing of Werner Emslie and the attack on his wife Mariette on their farm outside Lephalale in September last year. Moyo was allegedly part of a group of four armed suspects who stormed the Emslie house, shot and killed Werner, allegedly stabbed his wife several times and then shot her as well.
Ngoepe said a task team traced Moyo in Frankfort in the Free State in October last year and he was in custody ever since. The charges against him include murder, house breaking and theft as well contravention of the Migration Act.
Simango was arrested within days after an incident at Leadwood Nature Reserve in July that lead to huge loss for the facility.
It is alleged that four suspects broke into the lodge and tied up two housemates before opening the safe and fleeing the scene with a number of firearms and other personal items, according to Ngoepe.
The search for Simango continues and anyone with information can contact investigating officer Osie Oosthuizen on 082 783 5623 or report to the nearest Police station.
Story: RC Myburgh
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