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More than a decade after a suspected farm killer escaped from custody, police called on members of the community to help them locate the man.
Police in Bethlehem in the Free State say they are looking for Thapelo Samuel Mokoena from Qwaqwa in the same province. This man, who sometimes uses that of Mlangeni, is wanted in connection with a farm attack in 2004, during which Johanna Cathrina van Niekerk (72) and her worker Tororo Elias Tsholo were killed on the farm Dankibility near Bethlehem.
Mokoena and four accomplices were arrested at the time and charged with the murders.
“The attackers are accused of shooting Van Niekerk and Tsholo dead on 23 August 2004 and seriously injuring another farm worker. The injured farm worker was able to escape and call for help, ”said brig. Motantsi Makhele, Free State police spokesperson. “The police responded immediately and arrested Mokoena and four other suspects.”
However, Mokoena escaped from custody on July 27, 2005, a day before he had to appear in court again. Police suspect he was hiding in Carletonville, Gauteng.
“Anyone with information on Mokoena’s whereabouts must contact the investigating officer. Contact Maseko on 073 584 6155 or 058 307 7957. “Members of the public should preferably not approach the man himself, as he is considered extremely dangerous,” Maseko said.
