A Mozambican fugitive believed to be part of a mass breakout that saw over a thousand inmates escaping Maputo's maximum prison during the country's unrest, was rearrested on Wednesday in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Nelson Simiao Massango was part of over 1,500 prisoners who escaped in December 2024 after taking advantage of the ongoing political instability and widespread demonstrations that were experienced in the country at the time, triggered by disputed election results.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said Massango was reportedly convicted for murder in 2015 and sentenced to at least 20 years.
"The suspected fugitive of justice was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton. Upon further investigation, he is being investigated and may be linked to several cases of motor vehicle theft in Gauteng where he would rent 4x4 bakkies, smuggle them over into Mozambique and have them sold in that country," said Mathe.
Mathe added that the South African Police Service (SAPS) border policing high density team has been hard at work ensuring they track and trace more suspects that may have made their way into South Africa.
She confirmed that INTERPOL's National Central Bureau in Pretoria is collaborating with their counterpart in Maputo to assess the situation and exchange vital intelligence regarding the recent developments.
Meanwhile, in January, two Mozambican nationals, believed to be part of the group which broke out of a Maputo prison in December, have been arrested in Mpumalanga.
The men, aged 25 and 33, were intercepted by the security company Polsec at Malelane.
“Preliminary investigation by the police suggests that the two men are believed to be part of the group that recently escaped from lawful custody in Mozambique some weeks back. In instances like this, the SAPS collaborates with various stakeholders, both internal and external, including Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Interpol, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco),” said provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli at the time.
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