An student constable will be investigated because a notorious criminal he was guarding escaped.

Murder accused Bheki Magagule, 30, escaped from Themba Hospital in Mpumalanga after being shot by police before his arrest on Sunday.

Masoyi police spokesman Jiyela Sibiya said Magagule escaped after the constable went to the toilet, leaving him alone but handcuffed to a bed. When he returned the suspect was nowhere to be found.

One of the members of the community said they now live in fear.

"This guy killed my grandfather and he also shot my neighbour, who is now in a wheelchair. We no longer trust the police because we called them to arrest this guy last week, but now he is out. So where are we going to hide?

"If they don't arrest this guy we will have to take the law into our own hands," said the resident.

Magagule was arrested last week in Phola after villagers alerted the police that he was in their village.

The police have promised they will arrest him soon. - Masoka Dube