Police at Ntabathemba in the Chris Hani District of the Eastern Cape are on the hunt for an escaped suspect who attacked a police officer and fled from a police vehicle while in transit to the police station.
The incident happened on Tuesday evening shortly after police members from Komani assisted in arresting five men in connection with a business robbery in the area.
Colonel Priscilla Naidu says two suspects were handcuffed and all five were placed at the back of an open LDV police vehicle with a police official guarding them.
While in transit to the station, the suspects attacked the police officer and jumped out of the moving vehicle.
Three suspects were injured and were immediately re-arrested while a fourth managed to flee.
Colonel Naidu says the fifth suspect was found on the side of the road by a community member and was taken to a clinic by private vehicle where he was certified dead on arrival.
The matter has been reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) while an internal probe is also under investigation.
Cases of escaping from lawful custody and an inquest are under investigation.
Police would like to warn the community that any person who is found wilfully aiding and abetting any criminal, is committing an offence and could be criminally prosecuted.
