Police spokesperson, Sam Tselanyane, says these escapees were arrested by the Vryburg Crime Prevention and Vryburg Crime Intelligence units in different areas. These prisoners escaped from lawful custody in the evening of Friday, 14 June 2019, from Pudimoe Police Station. Tselanyane says following their escape from custody, a 72-hour action plan, comprising of skilful personal, including detectives, numerous arrests were made in a short period of time. Amongst those who were re-arrested by the police, was Oageng Senye (24) whose father handed him over to the police in Vryburg on Saturday, 15 June 2019.

Mosimanegape Mohutsana (20) is another escapee who was re-arrested in Vryburg on Sunday, 16 June 2019, after the police were informed of his whereabouts. Tselanyane says on Monday 17 June 2019, a tip-off led to tracking down the third escapee, Lawrence Ntwagae (28), who was hiding at a place called Colour-Blocking just outside Vryburg.

The fourth escapee, Sipho Mohutsiwa (24), was arrested on Tuesday 18 June 2019 at about 20:30 after the police were informed of a suspicious person walking alongside the railway line near Vryburg. “Upon seeing the police the escapee, who looked very exhausted and hungry at the time, did not even try to flee but surrendered.” He further adds that Tumelo Setlhodi (37) handed himself over to the police in Pudimoe on Wednesday 19 June 2019 at about 11:30, while the sixth escapee, Hendrick Pampier (36), was re-arrested on Thursday 20 June 2019 after the police were informed of the place where he was hiding in Colridge, Vryburg.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Baile Motswenyane, has since lauded Pudimoe Detectives. Of note is Warrant Officer Peter Mooketsi of Vryburg Crime Prevention and Vryburg Crime Intelligence. “All six accused are expected to appear before the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 June 2019, on a charge of escape from lawful custody and the Investigation into the matter continues,” Tselanyane concluded.

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