'Injured' Bongani Moyo escapes court

A man suspected of being one of South Africa's most dangerous criminals has leisurely walked to freedom out of the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

Bongani Moyo, 29, allegedly linked to about 35 bank robberies, was in court on crutches because of a leg injury.

Just before he escaped, he apparently handed over his crutches to one of his co-accused.

He walked out through court 16, carrying a stack of documents under his arm, and apparently even bowed to the magistrate before he left the court.

Moyo appeared in court with Khubulani Sibanda, Thabane Sibanda and Leon Ncube, for a series of armed robberies they had allegedly committed.

Their bail application was postponed, however, as their lawyer had apparently been involved in a car accident.

Provincial police spokesman Captain Katlego Mogale said Moyo had not been shackled or locked up in a cell.

"He was sitting between court 16 and 17 and escaped through court 16," Mogale said.

"Police are investigating how this could have happened and if negligence had been involved.

"We are again appealing to the community to assist in putting him behind bars."

Moyo was arrested at the Beitbridge border post in Limpopo on May 12, after he had escaped from the Boksburg Prison, where he was an awaiting-trial prisoner charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

It is believed he had returned to South Africa from Zimbabwe to undergo medical treatment.

A team of investigators from the Hawks arrived at the court a few minutes after the escape.

They sealed off court 16 and declared it a crime scene.

Police officers and court officials in court 16 were interviewed and were not allowed to interact with others.

The investigation was handled quietly.

People in the corridor went on with their normal business as if nothing had happened.

Police said a manhunt was under way following Moyo's escape and that they were investigating a case of escape from lawful custody.