Pretoria - One of South Africa's most wanted criminals is back behind bars after he was arrested by police last night shortly after entering the country.
Bongani Moyo, who has been linked to about 35 bank robberies and escaped from the Boksburg Prison in March, was arrested at about 11pm at Beitbridge, Limpopo, police spokesman Colonel Neville Malila said.
"We believe he came back to South Africa for urgent medical attention. Acting on information, police arrested him near the border post. Moyo claimed he fled from South Africa to Zimbabwe about three days ago. This after he realised that police was hot on his heels and the media was zooming in on him," Malila said.
Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros, praised the police officers who worked tirelessly to ensure that Moyo was back behind bars.
"I am thrilled. Well done to the special team of detectives who were tasked to hunt down Moyo and his accomplices. They worked around the clock following up on the many leads from the public," he said.
Police also thanked Crime Line and Crime Stop for leading the way in encouraging the public to come forward with information regarding Moyo, as well as the public who passed on information.
Head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee, said the anonymous tip-off service was being inundated with messages of congratulations from the public and police on the breakthrough.
