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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Sat May 25 12:38:20 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 28, 2012

Hosh6

They avenged the k*illing of one of their colleagues.
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Aug 28, 2012

NATAL

They say only God knows whether a person would go to heaven or hell when he dies, but I am certain this crimanal is burning in Hell right now, he died committing another sin without repetence. Now he wishes that he can come back and live godly cos no suffering in this world can be compared to that hell fire, burning forever whilst death is no more. At least some innocent lives would be spared by his passing away
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Aug 28, 2012

LELAU

"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 correctrional services ward before he ran off". I SMELL SOMETHING HERE!!!!!!!!
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Aug 28, 2012

Flemza

To me this pure s.tupidity , trying to escape from police custody with stolen fire arm , whats wrong with other people , why can`t they learn , once you are arrested for christ sake , just remain arrested , whats wrong with that , the criminal should have been alife by now , what a shame
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Aug 28, 2012

hezekiel

@NATAL, ""but I am certain this crimanal is burning in Hell right now, he died committing another sin without repetence.""
The only person you are certain about going to hell or heaven is you,for that is between you and God. no third party
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Aug 28, 2012

legrado

let his soul rest in peace. who we are to jugde. he will finally face the real judgement.
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Aug 28, 2012

Kgaoza606

Yaaaneehhh, muthaf#kca died in a struggle mann, shot once in de leg and later gunned down. I remember vividly the story of when they shot the policewoman after bombing the ATM. I guess u live by the gun u die by the gun... May u be tormented in hell for the rest of u eternity for all the lives u took and all the moolas u've stolen.
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Aug 28, 2012

Budapat

eish incompetent cops and guns kodwa? anyway it's kinda good that he got killed, our constitution doesn't make provision for death sentence so i guess it's one criminal down per say
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Aug 28, 2012

Blackstone.lebs

One pest down!
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Aug 28, 2012

Dikmol

I'm nopt surprised. The cops are so reckless and do not follow the training when executing their duties. should this be investigated i am sure it will be proven that the cop was reckless. How do the criminal steal a gun from a cop? How is that possible under normal circumstances.

Its time our cops go back to basics...
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