Pertunia Ratsatsi

Pertunia Ratsatsi

East Rand's most wanted criminal handed himself over to the police in Tembisa yesterday.

The drama unfolded at the Tembisa magistrates' court when the criminal's alleged car hijacking accomplice, Constable Hosia Zinto Nkwagatse, 29, was applying for bail.

While Nkwagatse was still in the dock, Aubrey Lefuno Rabumbulu, pictured, stormed into the court which was packed with Ivory Park and Tembisa police officers.

The cooperative Rabumbulu was immediately arrested and taken to Ivory Park police station under heavy police guard.

Ivory Park police spokesman Captain Richard Zuma said Rabumbulu apparently saw his picture in Sowetan on Tuesday and decided to hand himself over to the police.

"He called the investigating officer at lunch time and he urged Rabumbulu to come to court where he was arrested," Zuma said.

Constable Nkwagatse was arrested for car hijacking in which it is alleged that he was with Rabumbulu, who was being sought for a string of crimes, including murder.

The duo are alleged to have hijacked two vehicles, in Sandton and Rabie Ridge, on June 9 and killed a passenger in one of the hijacked vehicles.

Last year Rabumbulu was acquitted on a double murder charge by the Johannesbrg high court because of a lack of evidence.

He was recently arrested by police after he was found in possession of an expensive pair of shoes, but was released because of lack of evidence.

Nkwagatse's case was postponed to today for further bail application.