Escaped murder accused re-arrested

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Published Jan 4, 2014

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Durban - A man charged with murder and robbery is back behind bars after he previously escaped from a Pietermaritzburg court building, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Friday.

“(Sthembiso Vincent) Shabalala made a court appearance in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court... (on Friday) on a charge of escaping from lawful custody,” said spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane.

Shabalala had been on the run since escaping from the court building after an appearance on December 2, 2013 linked to a murder and vehicle theft case, as well as another of assault.

The 34-year-old was nabbed late on Thursday night in a house in Morning Rise, after police were tipped off with information as to his whereabouts.

Shabalala was accused of shooting and killing a 39-year-old farmer and stealing his bakkie at his farm in Richmond in August 2012.

He was arrested shortly afterwards. However, on January 7 last year, while detained at the New Prison in Napierville, he assaulted a prison warder with a chair, apparently after being asked a question about a light.

“The warder sustained fractures to his right arm,” Zwane said.

Thereafter, Shabalala was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was also accused of other armed robberies in the Bulwer and Umzinto areas.

Shabalala remained in custody and would appear in court again on January 22. - Sapa

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