Alleged ATM bomber and cop killer stole an officer's firearm, but was caught and shot in the parking lot
AN AWAITING-TRIAL prisoner who tried to escape from hospital was shot dead by police yesterday.
Sifiso Kunene, 34, died at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp where he had been under police guard for more than a month.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said Kunene had tried to escape from the hospital.
"He stole an officer's firearm, but was shot in his upper body in the parking lot. He died a few hours later."
Kunene, who was linked to 13 violent crimes, had escaped through the roof of the Protea Glen police cells on April 22.
He was scheduled to be taken to Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal to face charges for a murder and ATM bombing in Mondlo, KwaZulu-Natal.
Kunene also faced another two murder charges, including that of a policewoman killed during an ATM bombing in Kliptown, and several armed robbery charges.
He was facing six charges relating to ATM bombings in Gauteng between September and October last year.
On June 11, Kunene was rearrested at Nancefield hostel. During the arrest he was shot in the leg.
A doctor at the hospital said Kunene had been admitted for an operation on his leg.
"He still had crutches and was due for an operation. We are not sure how he got hold of a gun, but he also locked officers in the correctional services ward before he ran off."
The doctor said Kunene was not handcuffed at the time of his escape.
He said they were still shaken, but no one else had been injured. - monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za
Prisoner shot during hospital escape
Alleged ATM bomber and cop killer stole an officer's firearm, but was caught and shot in the parking lot
AN AWAITING-TRIAL prisoner who tried to escape from hospital was shot dead by police yesterday.
Sifiso Kunene, 34, died at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp where he had been under police guard for more than a month.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said Kunene had tried to escape from the hospital.
"He stole an officer's firearm, but was shot in his upper body in the parking lot. He died a few hours later."
Kunene, who was linked to 13 violent crimes, had escaped through the roof of the Protea Glen police cells on April 22.
He was scheduled to be taken to Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal to face charges for a murder and ATM bombing in Mondlo, KwaZulu-Natal.
Kunene also faced another two murder charges, including that of a policewoman killed during an ATM bombing in Kliptown, and several armed robbery charges.
He was facing six charges relating to ATM bombings in Gauteng between September and October last year.
On June 11, Kunene was rearrested at Nancefield hostel. During the arrest he was shot in the leg.
A doctor at the hospital said Kunene had been admitted for an operation on his leg.
"He still had crutches and was due for an operation. We are not sure how he got hold of a gun, but he also locked officers in the correctional services ward before he ran off."
The doctor said Kunene was not handcuffed at the time of his escape.
He said they were still shaken, but no one else had been injured. - monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za
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