SA's most wanted Zimbabwean search, man collapses and dies during raid

JOHANNESBURG - A Zimbabwean man died during a raid on his house in Johannesburg by a Hawks team searching for one of South Africa's most wanted criminals, a spokesman said on Thursday.

"The team had information that the man [Mthungameli Mpofu] was seen with Bongani Moyo last week," said McIntosh Polela.

"They went to his house in the early hours of yesterday [Wednesday] morning to detain him and question him. I am told he apparently resisted arrest and after a scuffle he collapsed and died," he said.

Moyo has allegedly been linked to more than 30 bank robberies. He escaped from the Pretoria Regional Court on August 10.

Polela said the Hawks team "assured" him that they used minimal force in the raid on Mpofu's home.

The Independent Complaints Directorate was called to the scene and was investigating the incident.

Mpofu had been wanted for a bank robbery in Zimbabwe, said Polela.

The Hawks had also arrested him last year for defrauding a bank.

"He allegedly used someone else's ID [identity document] to get a bond for a house in Springs. When he was arrested last year we found 11 different IDs on him," said Polela.

Mpofu was out on bail at the time of his death.

Polela said the Hawks were still searching for Moyo, who was on crutches at the time of his court escape.