Cops hunt for ‘runaway bride’ after Wynberg bandiete are re-arrested

THREE of four bandiete who escaped from the holding cells at Wynberg Magistrate's Court nearly a week ago have been re-arrested - all except the one they call the “runaway bride”.

Following the release of the names and pictures of the four accused who face charges of illegal possession of firearms, housebreaking, and a warrant of arrest on 23 October, three suspects have been vasgevat.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “This office can confirm that two of the four suspects Linda Soyeza and Toufieq Damon were re-arrested on Thursday afternoon, 23 October. Linda handed himself over to police, while Toufieq was arrested at a premises in Grassy Park.

“We can confirm that a third suspect Mphumeleli Lufutha was arrested in Samora Machel [on] Friday, 24 October.”

However, Ismail George from Hanover Park is still on the run.

According to a Daily Voice source, George has earned a reputation for being a glibberige ou after also escaping custody in Philippi.

The source said: “In 2023, he was arrested in Philippi and he also escaped from the cells in Philippi and that is the reason why they never gave him bail, because he was like a ‘runaway bride'.

"About three years ago, he was sleeping in this drug house. SAPS didn't find the gun on him - the gun was found in the stove and he has been awaiting trial since then."

Twigg added that there were initially six who had escaped and Wynberg cops have registered an escape-from-lawful-custody case following the incident on 20 October.

Despite the successful re-arrests, DA MP and Parliamentary Select Committee member on Security and Justice Nicholas Gotsell said it’s concerning that cops waited three days before releasing their names.

Gotsell said: “The escapees – Linda Soyeza, Mphumeleli Lufutha, Ismail George, and Toufieq Damon – could have been identified and tracked far sooner had their identities been released immediately.

“Wynberg is no ordinary precinct. It serves as a hub for multiple hotspot areas and handles some of Cape Town’s most serious gang-related and violent crime matters.”

Anyone with any information who can assist with the investigation or who knows the whereabouts of the suspects can contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Abrahams on 079 498 9937 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.