SA not a hideout for criminals, says top cop Masemola
Earlier this week, a suspected Mozambican fugitive was arrested in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. Picture: X/SAPoliceService
JOHANNESBURG - National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says South Africa is not a hideout for fugitives.
Earlier this week, a suspected Mozambican fugitive was arrested in Sandton, Johannesburg.
It is believed that the suspect was convicted for murder in 2015 and sentenced for 20 years in prison in his home country.
Last year, thousands of prisoners in Mozambique escaped from detention during the country's post-election unrest in 2024.
The Mozambican government had called on Southern Africa Development Community countries to help bring the criminals back to book.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Athlenda Mathe explained: “The SAPS Border Policing High Density Team has been hard at work in ensuring they track and trace those that may have made their way into South Africa. The suspected fugitive of justice was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton.”
Mathe says they believe he is linked to several cases of vehicle theft in Gauteng.
She also mentions that Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria is engaging with Interpol NCB Maputo on the latest developments.