Cape Town – A convicted murderer who escaped from a Mozambican maximum-security prison during the December 2024 unrest has been apprehended by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Border Policing High Density Team in Sandton.
Nelson Simiao Massango, who was convicted for murder in 2015 and sentenced to at least 20 years, made headlines in December 2024 when he escaped alongside more than a thousand other prisoners from the Maputo Maximum prison.
Authorities have since been on the lookout for Massango, and the Border Policing High Density Team played a crucial role in his capture.
Massango was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton, Gauteng.
Investigations have revealed that he may be involved in a string of motor vehicle thefts in the area.
#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the #SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has commended the SAPS Border Policing High Density Team for arresting a convicted prisoner who escaped from the Maputo Maximum prison at a time when the country experienced unrest in December 2024.
Nelson… pic.twitter.com/ksED1VgQG5
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 13, 2025
“The suspected fugitive of justice was arrested at a car hire dealership in Sandton. Upon further investigation, he is being investigated and may be linked to several cases of theft of motor vehicle in Gauteng where he would rent 4×4 bakkies, smuggle them over into Mozambique and have them sold in that country,” police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of SAPS, commended the team’s swift action in capturing Massango.
He said “should send a stern warning that SA is not a hideout for criminals”.
INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria is working closely with its counterpart in Maputo to further investigate the developments related to Massango’s escape and criminal activities.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
