Dunoon puppy seller re-arrested after slipping out of police custody

The man known as the “Dunoon puppy seller” was re-arrested on Monday, December 1, after escaping through a bathroom window at Sea Point Police station.

Ncubeko Hloni was arrested on Saturday, November 29, after members of the public recognised him on Main Road in Green Point, carrying what appeared to be an unwell puppy.

When he attempted to flee, a bystander intervened, and Green Point CID officers assisted in detaining him.

Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector, Jaco Pieterse, said a second puppy was later discovered zipped inside his backpack. Both animals were taken to a private veterinarian and are now in the care of the SPCA.

However, only hours after his arrest, Mr Hloni managed to escape.

According to police, he was escorted to the bathroom at Sea Point police station and left unattended.

He climbed out of the bathroom window, which was not fitted with burglar bars.

Mr Pieterse criticised the circumstances surrounding the escape.

“I am deeply disappointed and frankly stunned by the sheer carelessness displayed by police in this incident. How does one leave a suspect alone in a bathroom with no burglar bars? What if this was a murderer? We have been informed that this is the second escape from the same station in the past week - it is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed both the escape and the subsequent rearrest.

He will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 3.

Sea Point police earlier released a statement confirming an internal investigation.

Provincial police spokesperson FC van Wyk said Sea Point police have registered an escape from lawful custody case following Mr Hloni's escape.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Police are following up on all leads,” Captain van Wyk said.