Police in the North West province have successfully rearrested two of the three suspects who escaped from the Swartruggens police holding cells earlier this month. The escape, which occurred on December 8, initially involved four individuals, but swift action by law enforcement led to the capture of one suspect shortly after the breakout. The remaining two, Johannes Mfaladi, 28, and Mpho Vincent Madito, 29, were located and apprehended just days later, thanks to the cooperation of local residents and authorities. Authorities are still searching for the third suspect, Thapelo Mogwele Molebatsi, 25, who remains at large.
According to police reports, the escapees managed to break free by squeezing through the roof of their detention cell, a tactic that allowed them to flee without immediate detection. One of the suspects, a 23-year-old man, was apprehended shortly after the escape while hiking along the N4 road near the Swartruggens plaza. His arrest marked the first step in the successful pursuit of the escapees, as officers quickly mobilized to track down the others. Police efforts, combined with community assistance, played a pivotal role in locating the remaining fugitives.
Johannes Mfaladi, who is facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, was apprehended three days after the escape. Police, with the help of a local farmer, tracked him down to a secluded area on a farm in Swartruggens. The swift collaboration between law enforcement and the farming community underscores the vital role of local partnerships in ensuring safety and preventing fugitives from evading capture. Mfaladi’s arrest brings authorities closer to fully resolving the situation, though the third suspect remains on the run.
On the same day, police also captured Mpho Vincent Madito at Boshoek. Madito, who faces multiple charges of rape, was located following an intense search of the surrounding areas. His arrest is seen as another success for the police, who have been working tirelessly to bring the escapees back into custody. Despite the progress made in recapturing two of the suspects, law enforcement officials continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the third individual.
The police are now focusing their efforts on the search for Thapelo Mogwele Molebatsi, who was being detained for theft. Molebatsi, aged 25, is the only one of the three escapees still unaccounted for, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to come forward. Investigators have appealed to the public to contact Captain Peterson Monageng at 082 569 5868 or to report any tips to their nearest police station. The ongoing efforts to track down Molebatsi remain a priority for local law enforcement.
This recent escape in Swartruggens follows a similar incident in KwaZulu-Natal, where two inmates fled from the Nkandla and Vryheid Correctional facilities in October. The escapees, Siyabonga Sikhakhane and Siphamandla Gift Simelane, were both out on work details when they fled their respective correctional facilities. The Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape, urging the public to assist in locating the men. Both cases highlight the ongoing challenges faced by South African law enforcement in securing detainees and preventing escapes, and the critical need for public cooperation in solving such incidents.
