Thabo Ali Molobela, a double murder-accused man who escaped from police custody in Limpopo after being arrested for shooting six people, has been re-arrested.
The 35-year-old Molobela was nabbed on Tuesday night at his hideout, an abandoned house in Sedawa Village, following an intelligence-led operation by detectives from Hoedspruit.
The arrest came after Molobela vanished from the Sekororo Hospital more than a week ago.
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According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the Limpopo police spokesperson, the suspect allegedly shot himself while being arrested at Sekororo, Santeng Village outside Hoedspruit.
However, police officers managed to disarm him and rushed him to the hospital for medical treatment. He was under police guard when he escaped.
Molobela was initially arrested after going on a shooting spree on August 19 in Makgophong Village, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving four others injured. Among the victims were his wife, their child, and other relatives.
The circumstances surrounding Molobela’s escape from the hospital are still being investigated.
Commissioner of the SA Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the dedicated team of police officers who relentlessly worked to track down and apprehend the accused.
The community also played a crucial role in his capture by providing valuable information. Lieutenant General Hadebe has commended the community for their assistance.
Thabo Ali Molobela has already appeared before the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court, facing a charge of escaping from lawful custody.
The case has been postponed to October 11 for further police investigations. He has also been transferred to Mokopane, where he will face charges of two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder.