A sentenced 36-year-old male, Bonile Mgwili, who escaped from the Flagstaff Correctional Services facility on Sunday, 12 April 2026 at around 08:30, and was captured the same day, appeared before the Flagstaff Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 April 2026 on a charge of escaping from lawful custody.
The OR Tambo District Task Team based in Lusikisiki was alerted that Bonile Mgwili, from Wayside locality in Lusikisiki, had escaped while serving a twelve (12) year sentence for murder at the Flagstaff Correctional Services facility. The task team proceeded to the New Rest residential area in Lusikisiki, where he was believed to be hiding. At approximately 20:15, the team re-arrested him inside a locked flat and charged him with escaping from lawful custody.
Mgwili appeared before the Flagstaff Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 13 April 2026. His case was remanded to 5 May 2026 to allow him to secure a lawyer of his choice.
SAPS OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, commended the task team for their swift action in apprehending the inmate and urged them to always be ready when duty calls.