By BAKANG MOKOTO
16 April 2025- The accused, Tebogo Mahlangu (40), briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court facing charges of escape from lawful custody. Mahlangu was arrested in Witbank by the Klerksdorp-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in collaboration with Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) on 11 April 2025, following his escape from lawful custody in September 2019.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the reports indicate that the accused and his four accomplices, were arrested in November 2015, on charges of theft of motor vehicle, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances after they allegedly collided with a Toyota Hilux bakkie, while travelling in an A4 Audi vehicle near Katboschfontein, outside Wolmaranstad on the N12.
Gunya said the Toyota Hilux, which was transporting diamond gravel overturned, its driver was accosted by armed Audi A4 occupants, who robbed him of diamond gravel, pistol and other personal belongings.
“It is further reported that whilst the robbery was still in progress, an Isuzu bakkie, which was passing by, stopped in an attempt to assist the accident victims as the occupants were not aware it was robbery.
“The Isuzu occupants were also accosted and the Isuzu bakkie as well as cell phones and other personal belongings of its occupants were stolen. The community members who tried to chase the suspects were shot, however they managed to run to the nearby fields,” he said.
Gunya further said the swift response by the police led to the arrest of suspects, the firearms and other valuables stolen were also recovered. He added that, they made several court appearances before court, however, on September 2019, while Mahlangu and his co-accused were loaded in a bakkie, Mahlangu allegedly took out a firearm and pointed at a police officer working at court and this led to the escape of all five accused.
“His co-accused persons were all re-arrested and were sentenced except Mahlangu, who has been on the run since the escape. Following a lengthy investigation, he was rearrested at Witbank Court, where he was attending a separate case.
“He appeared before court and the matter was postponed to 8 May 2025, for consolidation of all his cases,” said Gunya.
Meanwhile, the acting Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in North West, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, welcomed the arrest and commended the investigation and prosecution team for working tirelessly to ensure they leave no stone unturned in locating suspects who have contempt for the laws of this country.
The Guardian 