ERIC MATOME KGOMO
Volkrust: Mpumalanga police are on the hunt for three detainees who escaped from police holding cells in Volkrust Police holding cells on Sunday 7 March.
According to Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, Mpumalanga Provincial Police Spokesperson, the trio is part of seven suspects who initially escaped from police holding cells earlier on Sunday.
“However, four of the escapees have been rearrested whilst the other three are still at large,” Hlathi said.
He added that the remaining suspects are Mduduzi Khumalo aged 27, Paul Sambo who is 19 and Bongani Sithole (30).
“The four other suspects who have since been rearrested are a 34-year-old Nkosingiphile Zwane, 19-year-old Siyabonga Mbatha, Phumlani Khanyi (27), as well as 18-year-old Thando Mavimbela,” said Hlathi.
He said the suspects were arrested for various offences including robbery, rape, possession of drugs, housebreaking and theft, as well as Contravention of the Immigration Act.
“An investigation regarding their escape is underway and the suspects will face an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody. Police want to thank members of the public who provided information which led to the rearrests of the three suspects,” detailed Hlathi.
He indicated that the police still appeal to the public including families of the remaining suspects, to assist with information that may lead to their rearrests to contact Detective Captain Dambuza Shikwambana at 0825790167 or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), Vusi Shongwe is calling on the police to urgently rearrest the suspects.
Shongwe further called the police management to thoroughly investigate of the circumstances surrounding these escapes.
“Although the investigation is already underway, the police must always be extremely vigilant when dealing with crime suspects so that they do not place their own lives or that of community members in danger,” Shongwe said.
The MEC has applauded the police for the swift arrest of the four suspects who were part of the escapees and further called on communities to work with police in order to bring the remaining escapees to book.
He insisted that the other three must be urgently brought to book as they pose danger to communities.
