Swift reaction and teamwork between various police units resulted in the apprehension of nine suspects for aiding and abetting a suspect to escape, defeating the ends of justice and escaping from lawful custody on Friday, 06 January 2017.
The arrest of the suspects suspects, aged between 32 and 41, emanated from an incident in which a group of men illegally released a murder suspect who was arrested at Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court in Tlhabane.
After the murder suspect’s arrest at the court, the suspect was handcuffed and put inside a police vehicle (sedan) that was parked near the court entrance. A group of men, armed with assortment of dangerous weapons, allegedly advanced towards the police vehicle and attempted to release the suspect. The police fired warning shots but the group of men managed to free the suspect. They allegedly got inside a vehicle and fled the scene which led to a chase by the police.
The men abandoned their vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. The police managed to arrest eight men as well as the suspect who was initially arrested for murder. He was found, still handcuffed.
They are expected to appear in the Bafokeng Magistrates Court on Monday, 09 January 2017. They will be facing charges of aiding and abetting a suspect to escape and defeating the ends of justice while the murder suspect is charged with escape from lawful custody.
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