Varsity rape suspect escapes
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Limpopo - Limpopo police have launched a manhunt for Lucas Matome Phoshoko, 27, the alleged ringleader of the Turfloop rape gang.
He escaped from custody at Mankweng police station on Monday night.
“He escaped while being escorted back to his cell after interrogation,” said Mankweng police spokesman Constable Moses Molepo.
He said investigations were under way to determine whether there had been negligence by the police.
Phoshoko was arrested last Thursday with four other men – Samuel Ramollo, 22, James Mahlatji, 27, Michael Mathekga, 27, and Charles Moreroa, 24.
They were linked to a spate of rapes that had occurred at the University of Limpopo’s Turfloop campus since 2011.
Molepo said the five men faced eight charges of rape, seven of armed robbery and two of attempted murder.
They have appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court and their case was postponed to July 18.
The victims were either dragged into the veld or raped in their rooms.
The Star