POLOKWANE – Police in Westenburg have launched a manhunt for three men who reportedly hijacked a vehicle in the Kwena Moloto section of the Seshego policing area.
Two of the three men, Khomotso Maleka (20) and Mmakhudu Bafana Sithole (30), escaped shortly after they were taken into custody on Saturday, according to Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
Ngoepe says the two men were being transported to the Polokwane Police Station for detention when they allegedly jumped from the back of a moving police van at the corner of Grobler and Church street.
The men were arrested after the vehicle was spotted in Nirvana in the early hours of Saturday morning. “The vehicle sped-off when police tried to stop it,” Ngoepe’s statement read.
He added that police and personnel from a local security company gave chase and cornered the vehicle a few kilometres outside the city.
“The driver, armed with a firearm, jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. The other two occupants were arrested,” he added.
The motor vehicle as well as a 9mm firearm and five rounds of live ammunition was confiscated. Ngoepe said cases of possession of a suspected hijacked motor vehicle and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition were opened for further investigation.
A search operation was launched and a case of escaping from lawful custody prior to detention was opened in this regard, confirmed Ngoepe.
The police appeal to anyone with information that can lead to the re-arrest of these escapees and arrest of their accomplice to contact Det Const Braidon Pheme at 073 344 6556, the crime stop number at 086 001 0111 or the nearest police station.
“Investigations into the circumstances around the escape continue,” he concluded.
