Court shooters still at large

Lucky Segopo and Nchabeleng Mahlatse

Lucky Segopo and Nchabeleng Mahlatse

Published Aug 20, 2014

Share

Johannesburg - The two awaiting-trial prisoners who opened fire in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, wounding two people, have not yet been arrested, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.

“The two escapees are still at large,” said Lt-Col Khensani Magoai.

According to an earlier report , police have identified the men as Nchabele Mahlatse and Lucky Segopo.

A court orderly sustained a slight wound, and a police officer was seriously wounded in the head during Tuesday's shooting.

The two prisoners were due to appear in court on charges of house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms. They came out of the holding cells into the courtroom and opened fire.

The injured officer was due to testify in their case. It was unclear how they got the weapons.

The two fled the court and hijacked a car outside.

The vehicle was abandoned in Atteridgeville, where they hijacked another car.

The pair would now face charges of attempted murder, hijacking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

Magoai said police on Wednesday also began searching for a third person who had escaped from the same court.

He appeared in court on Tuesday on a charges of armed robbery.

“Today it was discovered that he was not on the list of the awaiting-trial prisoners that were taken to Correctional Services,” she said.

“It is unknown how he escaped and an investigation is being conducted.”

Police did not provide an update on the two wounded officers. - Sapa

Related Topics: