Sello Cedric Pinkoane who escaped from lawful custody was rearrested after he was traced and found in Steynsrus.
Pinkoane allegedly escaped from custody on 15 February 2023 after he was arrested in Kroonstad on a Sandton fraud and theft case. A warrant for his arrest was issued in the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court for his escape from lawful custody.
On 24 January 2025, Steynsrus police members working together with the Zamdela Tactical Response team received intelligence-led information on the whereabouts of the suspect. The information led the team to a farm outside Steynsrus where he was found with two other males, aged 24 and 35, busy stealing copper cables and aluminium.
All three were arrested for damage to infrastructure and theft of infrastructure. It is alleged that the suspects fled in different directions when they realised that police were approaching on foot but were arrested. Police found stripped copper and aluminium cables worth an estimated R15 000 and a white Nissan NP 200 bakkie.
Pinkoane is facing, amongst other charges, fraud currently investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and attempted murder opened in Tumahole. He escaped from lawful custody after he was arrested in Kroonstad back in February 2023 for another case of fraud investigated by Sandton police. Pinkoane was allegedly using different names upon his arrests.
The three, Sello Cedric Pinkoane, Joseph Motsoane, and Thapelo Thomas Moroho, appeared in the Steynsrus Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 27 January 2025, and will appear again in court on Friday, 30 January 2025, for a formal bail application.
Investigations continue.
