Cop arrested for prison truck blast
2012-11-05 18:05
Johannesburg - A Randburg police officer was
arrested on Monday after being linked to last month's prison truck blast, the
Independent Police Investigative Directorate said.
The officer was a court orderly at the Randburg Magistrate's Court, said spokesperson Moses Dlamini said.
"A witness identified [him] in court today (on Monday) and he was arrested on the spot."
The officer allegedly smuggled an explosive device to the prisoners who had been appearing in court.
The device was detonated in the truck as it travelled between the Golden Highway and the N12 outside Naturena on 22 October.
At the time, 36 awaiting-trial prisoners were being transported back to the Johannesburg Central Prison.
Three prisoners died in the explosion.
Two prisoners tried to escape, but were recaptured.
The arrested policeman would appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
He would face three charges of murder, 29 of attempted murder, one charge each of unlawful possession of explosives and aiding and abetting escape from lawful custody.
"Other arrests are possible," Dlamini said.
Four prisoners appeared in court on 26 October to face charges related to the blast.
Dan Mabona, Ephraim Moyo, James Motsiti, and Raymond Moyo, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of explosives, and malicious damage to property.
Their case was postponed to December for further investigation.
The officer was a court orderly at the Randburg Magistrate's Court, said spokesperson Moses Dlamini said.
"A witness identified [him] in court today (on Monday) and he was arrested on the spot."
The officer allegedly smuggled an explosive device to the prisoners who had been appearing in court.
The device was detonated in the truck as it travelled between the Golden Highway and the N12 outside Naturena on 22 October.
At the time, 36 awaiting-trial prisoners were being transported back to the Johannesburg Central Prison.
Three prisoners died in the explosion.
Two prisoners tried to escape, but were recaptured.
The arrested policeman would appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
He would face three charges of murder, 29 of attempted murder, one charge each of unlawful possession of explosives and aiding and abetting escape from lawful custody.
"Other arrests are possible," Dlamini said.
Four prisoners appeared in court on 26 October to face charges related to the blast.
Dan Mabona, Ephraim Moyo, James Motsiti, and Raymond Moyo, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of explosives, and malicious damage to property.
Their case was postponed to December for further investigation.
