Fugitive wanted for 2007 murder and robbery arrested after 11 years on the run

Handcuffs

Bloemfontein – A 49-year-old fugitive who had been on the run for more than a decade after skipping court in connection with a 2007 murder and robbery case has been arrested by the South African Police Service’s Free State Provincial Tracking and Tracing Team.

Police said Patrick Machuto was apprehended on Tuesday, 21 July, in Lehurutse, North West, following an intelligence-driven operation involving investigators from both provinces.

According to SAPS, Machuto had been wanted since 2015 after failing to appear in court on charges linked to a murder and robbery committed in the Kopanong area near Bloemfontein in 2007.

The breakthrough came after police received intelligence on 4 July regarding his whereabouts. Members of the Free State Provincial Tracking and Tracing Team travelled to Lehurutse, but were unable to locate him at his known residential address.

“On 04 July 2026, following operational intelligence regarding Machuto’s location, the Free State team traveled to Lehurutse in the North West Province. Although he was not found at his known residential address, investigators established that he had recently been arrested for a separate assault case in Lehurutse and was due back in court later that month,” police said.

“Operational arrangements were made between the Free State tracking team and the local investigating officer to monitor the court roll and alert the team as soon as the suspect made an appearance.”

On Tuesday, officers received confirmation that Machuto had attended court, prompting the team to travel from Bloemfontein and execute the outstanding warrant of arrest.

The suspect was taken into custody, booked out, and transported back to Bloemfontein, where he is expected to face charges relating to the 2007 murder and robbery, as well as additional charges for failing to appear in court.

Free State Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thabang Lesia praised the officers involved for their persistence, intelligence-led investigation and inter-provincial cooperation.

“The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but criminals cannot hide forever,” Lesia said.

Police said the arrest underscores their continued commitment to tracking down wanted suspects, regardless of how much time has passed since the alleged crimes were committed.

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