A Mozambican fugitive who escaped from the Maputo Maximum Prison was rearrested at a car dealership in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday. Nelson Simiao Massango escaped along with 1,500 other convicts in December 2024 during political unrest in the neighbouring country.

CONVICTED OF MURDER

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said that according to reports, he was convicted for murder in 2015 and sentenced to at least 20 years. Mathe said the SAPS Border Policing High Density Team has been working hard to track and trace those that may have made their way into South Africa. "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 theft of motor vehicles in Gauteng, where he would rent 4x4 bakkies, smuggle them over into Mozambique, and have them sold in that country," Mathe said, adding that Interpol's National Central Bureau Pretoria is engaging Interpol NCB Maputo on the latest developments.

SA NOT HIDEOUT FOR CRIMINALS

In January, Mpumalanga police arrested two Mozambican nationals who are believed to be part of the group that broke out of the same prison. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said at the time that preliminary investigation suggested that the two men are believed to be part of the group that recently escaped from lawful custody in Mozambique in December. "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),' Mdhluli said. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said this should send a stern warning that SA is not a hideout for criminals.