Muzi Mkhatswa escaped from the court's holding cells on 5 May by overpowering a police officer, and was arrested on Thursday evening.

Police spokesperson inspector Sanku Tsunke, said Mkhatshwa originally appeared in court on charges of house robbery, two cases of business robbery, and being in the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

"He is also linked to the murder of a police officer, Inspector Andries van Tonder."

Van Tonder was killed on 22 October last year after he and his partner apprehended a man carrying an AK47 rifle in Johannesburg.

They had arrested the suspect and while driving to the police station were ambushed by people in an Audi, which had earlier been seen dropping off the man with the rifle.

The Audi's occupants fired at the police and Van Tonder, who was driving, was killed.

Tsunke said information provided by the public had led to Mkhatshwa's arrest.

He will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates' Court on Monday, with an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.