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A 41-year-old parolee accused of a violent tavern assault has appeared before the Lusikisiki Magistrate’s Court after being arrested inside a correctional services facility where he was due to report.
The suspect, from Butyumbu locality in Ngcoya A/A near Lusikisiki, was apprehended on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, by detectives from Hlababomvu Police Station following several unsuccessful attempts to locate him. He made his first court appearance the following day, facing a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).
According to police, the charge stems from an incident on 11 April 2026, when the accused allegedly struck a 25-year-old man with an empty beer bottle while they were socialising at a local tavern. The victim’s condition has not been officially disclosed.
Investigators say the suspect had been evading arrest, but information gathered during the investigation revealed that he continued to comply with parole conditions by reporting regularly to the Lusikisiki Correctional Services facility. Acting on this, police set up a targeted operation and arrested him while he was inside the premises.
During his court appearance on 22 April 2026, the court ordered that he be remanded in custody. The matter has been postponed to 30 April 2026 for further proceedings.
Authorities have not yet confirmed further details surrounding the motive for the alleged attack, nor whether additional charges may be added. It is also unclear whether the victim and suspect were known to each other prior to the incident.
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