With the help of the suspect’s parents, Goodhope Police have caught the young man accused of striking an officer in the head with an axe in Mmathethe on Thursday morning.
Confirming the breakthrough, Officer Commanding District No.4, Russ Letsebe revealed the suspect, Thabang Rapudi, 20, was delivered to the police by his mother at around 5pm on Friday afternoon.
The police also detained his 25-year-old neighbour, who allegedly helped Rapudi escape the scene.
“The suspect’s parents managed to make contact with him and convinced him to cooperate. His mother handed him before the police yesterday,” the Senior Superintendent told The Voice on Saturday morning.
Rapudi’s initial troubles with the law date back to 5 July, when he allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old man with a sharp object. The matter was reported to Mmathethe Police Post two days later.
He is also implicated in a stock theft case that occurred in the village on 8 July.
Early on Thursday morning, two on-duty policemen arrived at his house to question him. However, Rapudi reportedly burst out the door armed with an axe, and struck one of the officers before fleeing.
“We are still to discuss the matter with the Directorate of Public Prosecution for the accused to be arraigned before court. The suspect who wounded the police officer will also be investigated for his previous case of unlawful wounding and the one he was suspected for stealing stock,” explained Letsebe.
Rapudi will face a charge of unlawful wounding while his companion will be charged for obstructing the police in their lawful execution of duty.
The two suspects are expected to appear before court early next week.
Meanwhile, the injured 27-year-old officer, whose bloodied image was trending online, was treated and discharged from the health facilities the same day. He is currently nursing his wounded head at home.
