Mozambican Fugitive Arrested in Sandton After Escape from Prison

A convicted Mozambican murderer, Nelson Simiao Massango, has been arrested in Sandton after escaping from a prison during unrest. Following his apprehension, authorities are investigating connections to vehicle theft in Gauteng. The South African Police Service emphasizes that the country will not serve as a safe haven for criminals.

A Mozambican fugitive convicted of murder has been apprehended in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, after escaping from Maputo Maximum Prison during post-election unrest. He was one of over 1,500 prisoners who fled on Christmas Day, taking advantage of the chaos following national protests.

Police chief Bernardino Rafael noted that the escape occurred when angry protesters vandalized government buildings and police vehicles. The fugitive, Nelson Simiao Massango, was originally sentenced to 20 years for murder in 2015. He was arrested at a car hire dealership and is suspected of involvement in motor vehicle thefts in Gauteng.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe from the South African Police Service reported that Massango is under investigation for allegedly renting vehicles to smuggle them into Mozambique for resale. In light of this arrest, Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Pretoria is collaborating with their counterparts in Maputo to provide updates on the situation.

National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, praised the Border Policing High Density Team for their efforts, emphasizing that South Africa should not be a refuge for criminals. He indicated that their success sends a firm warning against criminality.

In a related note, two other alleged fugitives from Mozambique were recently arrested in Malelane, Mpumalanga, raising concerns about the broader implications of the mass prison escape. Ongoing investigations involve collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, including Interpol and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

The apprehension of Nelson Simiao Massango underscores the response of South African authorities to the recent mass prison escape in Mozambique. The collaboration between various law enforcement agencies aims to prevent the country from becoming a shelter for criminals. Continuous vigilance and decisive action will be necessary to address ongoing security concerns following this incident.

Original Source: www.citizen.co.za