Three escape from police cells in Limpopo, one rearrested
Three awaiting trial prisoners escaped from police holding cells in Tzaneen, Limpopo after cutting through a mesh wire, police said on Monday.
Spokesman Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the incident happened on Sunday and one of them was nabbed at a farm in Letsetele area.
“The remaining two are Bethuel Simango, 25, from Mozambique and Muye Makgopa, aged 26. The circumstances around this escape are still being investigated. A special task team was established to track them down,” he said.
Simango faced charges of rape and housebreaking, while Makgopa faced charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of ammunition, house breaking and theft.
The first prisoner arrested, Ike Ngobeni, 27, would appear in the Nkoankoa Magistrate Court on Tuesday for escaping from lawful custody.
Police stations in Limpopo have seen a spike in awaiting trial prisoners escaping from holding cells in recent months. In March, at least 13 prisoners used the same modus operandi and cut the mesh wire in an exercise room at police cells in Modimolle.
A police officer, Alias Mothloki, was granted R1,500 bail in the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court for allegedly assisting the 13 awaiting trial prisoners to flee. - ANA