A search is under way in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, for
a 36-year-old man who escaped from a holding cell wearing a police uniform. He
was facing charges of rape, burglary, assault and murder.
“Police have launched a massive manhunt following
the escape of Tshilidzi Nelson Masindi from police holding cells in Thohoyandou
on Tuesday,” Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said today.
“Masindi left police custody wearing a police
uniform, which he stole from a steel cupboard where court orderlies store their
uniforms.”
A charge of escaping from lawful custody would be
added to the charges Masindi was facing.
It was believed that Masindi opened a locker near
where he was being held, found the uniform, changed into it and walked away.
“We believe no one can just walk out of a holding
cell. Precautionary measures are meant to ensure that it is locked at all
times,” said Mulaudzi.
The policeman on duty faced an investigation for
allegedly aiding and abetting Masindi’s disappearance.
Mulaudzi called on members of the public with
information concerning Masindi’s whereabouts to report it at their nearest
police station.
