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Injured murder suspect escapes from Estcourt Hospital

Pietermaritzburg- One of three men currently on the run in connection with the murder of a visiting taxi driver, Philasande Zwane, at Copesville on May 30, was arrested earlier this month, but managed to escape from Estcourt Hospital whilst under police guard.

An inquiry has been launched into the circumstances of the man’s escape.

Last week Jika Joe resident Mlungisi Dlamini, 29, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life plus 15 years’ imprisonment for Zwane’s “cruel” murder.

He admitted that he was part of a gang of four men who overpowered Dlamini (from Dundee) while he was sleeping in his taxi in East street in the early hours of the morning. After stabbing him to “subdue” him, they drove to Copesville where Dlamini slit his throat to prevent him from identifying his assailants at a later stage.

En route to sell the stolen vehicle at Estcourt, Dlamini said he fell asleep and crashed into a tree, breaking both his legs. Unable to flee the scene he was arrested while one of his accomplices managed to escape.

The Witness has since learned that the accomplice, who was also injured, was subsequently admitted to hospital. He was discharged on June 3, and readmitted again on June 11.

After receiving information linking him to the crimes, the investigating officer formally placed the suspect under arrest on June 17, but the man managed to escape the same night.

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