Mpofu and Nemukula behind bars again

Two of the four escapees who overpowered a police officer and escaped while they were being off-loaded at the Louis Trichardt District Court, Given Mpofu (24) and Dzulani Nemukula (23), were recaptured on 8 February.

According to the spokesperson for the Makhado police, W/O Takalani Madzhigili, a task team was compiled immediately after the four suspects' escape from lawful custody. Mpofu, Nemukula, Evans Chipara and Trust Chikwadzi escaped on 30 January.

“Mpofu and Nemukula were arrested at the South African side of the Beit Bridge area at about 15:00,” said Madzhigili. “They later pointed out the spot where they had hidden one unlicensed pistol in a bushy area in Musina.”

The two recaptured escapees appeared in the Musina Magistrate's Court for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. This matter was postponed to 25 February for transfer of this new case to the Louis Trichardt District Court, where all their cases will be centralised. “The joining of charges is done solely for court administration purposes,” said Madzhigili.

The suspects' other cases include escaping from lawful custody, possession of a firearm and ammunition, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and robbery.

Mpofu also faces another charge of house robbery, which he allegedly committed soon after he had escaped. Mpofu and five other suspects allegedly entered the complainant's place in Makhado forcefully and demanded R100. When the victim said that he had no money, Mpofu then requested him to drive him and his friends to a certain place.

“The complainant said that his car did not have fuel,” said Madzhigili. “Mpofu allegedly assaulted the complainant, connected an electric iron and burnt him on the stomach while demanding money.”

The victim succumbed to pain and handed the suspects the key to his safe. “The suspects allegedly walked away with R15 000 in cash and nine mobile phones,” Madzhigili said.

On hearing about the arrest of the two escapees, the leader of the Makhado Zim Community, Mr Gift Eglone, said: “We praise the police for the efforts that had been put in place. The community will feel safe now. We hope that the security system will be tighter this time around and that the law will surely take its course.”

Chipara and Trust Chikwadzi are still at large.

News - Date: 14 February 2014

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]