MADOMBIDZHA - A dangerous escapee, Simon Mukhauli Mudau of Madombidzha, who had escaped two months ago with eight other suspects, was shot dead last Friday at Madombidzha.

Mudau was arrested on two counts of rape, possession of an unlicensed fire-arm and escape from lawful custody. During the escape, he allegedly attempted another murder.

Last month, the police received a tip-off from members of the community, who saw him hiding in a house at Madombidzha. When the police reached the house, Mudau run way into the bush and opened fire on the police.

Last week, the police received another tip-off and travelled all the way to Tshikuwi in Nzhelele to look for him at the house of a traditional healer. They traced him until they found him at Madombidzha on Friday morning. They found him hiding, and when he saw the police, he tried to run away. The police gave chase and he was allegedly shot and killed.

According to the police, a firearm and a box of muti were found in his possession. Last week, the president of the Mbofho traditional healers, Mr Mbulaheni Neluvhola, warned traditional healers who still give criminals muti to protect them from the police, not to do so.

According to a police member, it is alleged that several members of the police service were on the "wanted list" of the escapee, who wanted to shoot them. Some of the police whose names were on the list, are residents of Madombidzha.

Other escapees who are still at large are Mpho Matambule (21) of Madombidzha, David Muhanelwa (21), Leonard Sadiki (21) and Booi Ralufhe (22) of Madodonga.

According to the police, they will re-arrest those who are still at large, and warned community members who hide the suspects that they will be arrested. They also appealed to community members not apprehend them, but to report them to the police.