It was reported by Oorgrens Veiligheid that a farm murder suspect was among the six prisoners that were freed by a group of heavily armed suspects who attacked and shot at Police members transporting awaiting trial prisoners.
The six were freed by the gang on the morning of Monday 13 March 2023.
The attackers then took the six prisoners and sped off in a grey Mercedes Benz and a white Toyota Bakkie.
The incident occurred along the Vivo road next to the first Schoemansdal turnoff outside Louis Trichardt.
The one suspect, also known as Thabang, was among the six that were freed.
He is an outstanding suspect wanted for the farm murder of Alwyn van Zyl (79) and for seriously injuring his wife Rene van Zyl (66).
The couple were overpowered in their home by four attackers on 20 March 2020, at 00:00 in Nylstroom, near Naboomspruit in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Both were tied up and Mr. van Zyl was strangled to death.
The farm murder suspect is wanted by the Naboomspruit police in the Waterberg district on a case number CAS: 165/03/2020
The following prisoners, pictured below managed to escape during the attack:
Forward Shumba aged 26
Shingirai Nyandome aged 32
Brilliant Sibanda aged 26
Erick Sithole aged 35
Moses Zambara aged 32
Alex Nkomo aged 35
All escapees are Zimbabwean nationals.
The first five were arrested for aggravated robbery, three counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The last one was arrested for theft of cables.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has ordered the mobilization of the necessary Police resources, including the air wing, to hunt down the escapees and the suspects.
People are advised not to approach the suspects under any circumstances as they are considered dangerous but must instead call the Police.
Anyone with information may contact Colonel Nyelisani Mabatha 082 565 8171, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or may send information via the MySAPS App.
Read: Farmer strangled to death, 100’s of farmers respond, arrest 3, Nylstroom
Read: Three farm murderers appear in Naboomspruit court
Read about more farm attacks here
Information supplied by Oorgrens veiligheid
Read: Heavily armed gang attack police, free 6 prisoners, Louis Trichardt
Heavily armed gang attack police, free 6 prisoners, Louis Trichardt
