One of two men awaiting their murder trial who escaped from the Mdantsane Regional Court last Monday has been re-arrested following a manhunt.
Thabani Mkhokeli, 30, believed to be dangerous, was arrested while hiding in a shack in the densely populated Duncan Village yesterday following a week on the run.
He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday while asleep.
This was after police received a tip-off from a member of the community after his picture and that of his co-accused, Lulekani Somtsora, who is still on the run, were published on the Daily Dispatch’s front page last Wednesday.
Police said it was a matter of time before Somtsora was also re-arrested.
Mkhokeli and Somtsora escaped from the holding cells of the court building after their lawyer allegedly failed to notify police he had finished consulting with them.
Mdantsane police spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said a charge of escaping from lawful police custody had been added to Mkhokeli’s charge sheet.
Mkhokeli and Somtsora, 25, were arrested in August by police during a house robbery in Mdantsane last year. They had been waiting at the West Bank prison for their trial since their arrest.
The two, described as highly dangerous men, are facing combined charges of murder, four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of house breaking with intent to rob, one of illegal possession of a firearm and one of illegally possessing ammunition.
They are believed to be part of a feared gang notorious for terrorising large parts of Mdantsane with armed robberies.
Among the incidents they were to stand trial for are the slaying of a foreign shop owner in NU5 last year during a botched business robbery and shortly after robbing Nelikhaya Butchery in NU12, from where they fled with R70000 cash.
Mzuku said the arrest of Somtsora was imminent.
“The search team is working tirelessly, following leads on the missing Lulekani Somtsora.”
Mzuku said Mkhokheli was due to appear soon at the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court to face charges of escaping lawful custody.
Mzuku said anyone with information about Somtsora’s whereabouts should not try to apprehend him as they could place themselves at serious risk of harm, but should alert their local police station, call Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Phuthumile Kwenene on 079-408-9104. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
One of two murder-accused re-arrested in EL
Thabani Mkhokeli, 30, believed to be dangerous, was arrested while hiding in a shack in the densely populated Duncan Village yesterday following a week on the run.
He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday while asleep.
This was after police received a tip-off from a member of the community after his picture and that of his co-accused, Lulekani Somtsora, who is still on the run, were published on the Daily Dispatch’s front page last Wednesday.
Police said it was a matter of time before Somtsora was also re-arrested.
Mkhokeli and Somtsora escaped from the holding cells of the court building after their lawyer allegedly failed to notify police he had finished consulting with them.
Mdantsane police spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku said a charge of escaping from lawful police custody had been added to Mkhokeli’s charge sheet.
Mkhokeli and Somtsora, 25, were arrested in August by police during a house robbery in Mdantsane last year. They had been waiting at the West Bank prison for their trial since their arrest.
The two, described as highly dangerous men, are facing combined charges of murder, four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of house breaking with intent to rob, one of illegal possession of a firearm and one of illegally possessing ammunition.
They are believed to be part of a feared gang notorious for terrorising large parts of Mdantsane with armed robberies.
Among the incidents they were to stand trial for are the slaying of a foreign shop owner in NU5 last year during a botched business robbery and shortly after robbing Nelikhaya Butchery in NU12, from where they fled with R70000 cash.
Mzuku said the arrest of Somtsora was imminent.
“The search team is working tirelessly, following leads on the missing Lulekani Somtsora.”
Mzuku said Mkhokheli was due to appear soon at the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court to face charges of escaping lawful custody.
Mzuku said anyone with information about Somtsora’s whereabouts should not try to apprehend him as they could place themselves at serious risk of harm, but should alert their local police station, call Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Phuthumile Kwenene on 079-408-9104. — malibongwed@dispatch.co.za
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