Dangerous suspect who escaped hospital guard rearrested after manhunt

Limpopo — A 34-year-old suspect who escaped from lawful custody while under police guard at a hospital in Limpopo has been rearrested in Mpumalanga following a multi-day manhunt.

According to the South African Police Service, Tumelo Raledi escaped on Sunday, 26 April 2026, at around 21:30 while receiving medical treatment at Maphuta Malatji Hospital.

Police launched an intensive search operation for the suspect, who is considered dangerous and is facing multiple serious charges, including rape, attempted murder, and two counts of murder allegedly committed between 2023 and 2025 in the Namakgale policing area.

Authorities said the breakthrough came in the early hours of Thursday, 30 April, when members of the public alerted police to the suspect’s whereabouts. Raledi was reportedly hiding at a residence in the Bushbuckridge policing area in Mpumalanga.

Police responded swiftly to the tip-off and successfully apprehended the suspect at approximately 03:30.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Thembi Hadebe, commended the collaboration between community members and law enforcement, describing it as critical in securing the rearrest. She urged the public to continue reporting criminal activity to aid ongoing policing efforts.

Raledi is expected to appear before the Namakgale Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 4 May 2026, where he will face an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.