Suspects who fled courtroom recaptured by police

TWO criminal suspects who fled from a Kwanobuhle court room on Friday September 28 were re-arrested within an hour after their brazen escape.

Uitenhage Police spokeswoman Inspector Marianette Olivier said the two men had appeared in a Kwanobuhle court earlier on Friday in connection with charges related to business robberies.

"They were not awarded bail and their case was postponed. They overpowered a policeman, grabbed his firearm and hit him over the head with it before they fled,” said Olivier, adding that a search for the men then ensued.

She said within an hour of the escapes, Kwanobuhle Detectives and police Crime Intelligence members followed up on information which led them to a house in the nearby Joe Modise area.

"When the police approached the house the escapees were believed to be hiding in, they fled the home and ran into bushes. Shots were fired and both suspects were injured. They were both were taken to hospital for treatment,” said Olivier. She said the stolen police firearm was recovered at the scene.

The names of the two men have not yet been released.