Eugene Dhlamini
Court reporter
The South African police force is hunting six Zimbabwean suspects who escaped while being transferred from courthouse to a prison.
Five of the suspects are facing charges of robbery,three counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The accused are Shingirai Nyandome (32), Forward Shumba (26),Moses Zambara (32), Brilliant Sibanda (26), Erick Sithole (35) and Alex Nkomo aged 35.
Moses Zambara is facing charges of stealing copper cables.
Meanwhile an armed gang ambushed a police vehicle along Vivo road next to the first Schoemansdal turn off outside Louis Trichardt on the 13th of March 2023.
The six awaiting trial prisoners and an armed gang sped off in a grey Mercedes Benz and White Toyota pickup.
“Police in Makhado have launched a massive manhunt for a group of heavily armed suspects who attacked and fired shots at police members transporting six awaiting trial prisoners and sped off on Monday morning”, said Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
“The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Police Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe ordered the mobilisation of necessary police resources, including the air wing to hunt down the escapees and an armed gang”, he said.
Members of the public are advised not to approach the dangerous suspects and anyone with information that can lead to their arrest should contact the nearest police.