Bernardes: Escapee 'in jail'
2004-03-23 18:24
Johannesburg - A man accused of murdering 11-year-old Tina Bernardes, and who escaped from custody in January, has been found in Johannesburg Prison under a false name, police said on Tuesday.
Superintendent Chris Wilken said Sipho Dube Mthandeni Mhlangathi was apparently arrested for attempted theft of a vehicle by Cleveland police in Alexandra shortly after his escape from custody.
Johannesburg area commissioner Oswald Reddy said: "Management are satisfied that Mhlangathi was tracked down.
"We are relieved justice can now take its course. Special arrangements have been made regarding the security of the suspect involved."
Mhlangathi was expected to appear in court within the next 48 hours to face charges of kidnapping, rape and murder, as well as a charge of escape from custody.
Mhlangathi walked out of Wynberg magistrate's court on January 12 after responding to another prisoner's name.
Bernardes, a school pupil at John Mitchell Primary, went missing on November 8 last year and was found dead near a mine dump in Denver, eastern Johannesburg.
- SAPA