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[File photo] A man handcuffed.
Gauteng police have arrested one of the prisoners who escaped from the Maputo Maximum Prison in Mozambique at a car hire dealership in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The prisoner is one of more than one thousand five hundred prisoners who escaped during Mozambique’s unrest in December.
The escapee was arrested for murder in 2015 and sentenced to 20 years.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says the escapee can be linked to several cases of theft.
“The SAPS Border Policing High Density Team has been hard at work in ensuring they track and trace those that may have made their way into South Africa. The suspected fugitive of justice was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton.”
“Upon further investigation, he is being investigated and may be linked to several cases of theft of motor vehicle in Gauteng where he would rent 4×4 bakkies, smuggle them over into Mozambique and have them sold in that country.”
#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the #SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has commended the SAPS Border Policing High Density Team for arresting a convicted prisoner who escaped from the Maputo Maximum prison at a time when the country experienced unrest in December 2024.
Nelson… pic.twitter.com/ksED1VgQG5
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 13, 2025
Meanwhile, two armed suspects were fatally shot and others wounded during a shootout with police in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday morning.
Police said the suspects were being sought for multiple ATM bombing incidents and other serious crimes in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces.
