North West murder accused rearrested hours after escaping during clinic visit

Murder accused Tshepo Lobelo was rearrested on Tuesday evening, hours after allegedly escaping from police custody during a medical visit to Maganeng Clinic in the North West.

A murder accused who escaped from police custody while being transported for medical treatment in the North West has been rearrested less than nine hours after fleeing from police officers.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that Tshepo Lobelo escaped from custody on Tuesday after being taken from Pudimoe Police Station to Maganeng Clinic alongside three other detainees.

Police spokesperson Colonel Anne Magakoe said the detainees arrived at the clinic at approximately 10.50am when Lobelo allegedly broke away from custody and fled into nearby bushes.

The escape triggered an immediate manhunt, with SAPS activating its 72-Hour Activation Plan and deploying a multidisciplinary team made up of various police units and specialised resources to track him down.

Police said the search operation led to Lobelo's rearrest at approximately 7:45pm on the same day.

"Lobelo allegedly escaped from police custody and fled into nearby bushes," Magakoe said, adding that a search operation was launched immediately after the escape was discovered.

Authorities said the suspect had originally been arrested in connection with a murder committed in 2024 and was awaiting the continuation of court proceedings. The case had been postponed to December 7, 2026, at the time of his escape.

Following his rearrest, Lobelo is now expected to face an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.

He is scheduled to appear before the Pudimoe Magistrate's Court on Friday, September 4.

Police have also launched an investigation into how the escape occurred.

"The circumstances surrounding the escape from custody will be investigated, including the circumstances relating to the transportation, restraint and supervision of the detainee," Magakoe said.

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Adams commended officers involved in the operation for swiftly locating and rearresting the suspect.

"An escape from lawful custody is a serious matter, and every effort will be made to ensure that those who attempt to evade the justice system are brought back to face the full might of the law," Adams said.