South African officials say one of the country's most wanted criminals has escaped from police custody, apparently by simply walking out of a courthouse.

Officials say Bongani Moyo, who has been linked to some 35 bank robberies, disappeared from a Pretoria courthouse before a hearing Wednesday.

Moyo had previously escaped from prison and was arrested in May after a highly publicized manhunt.

Local media reports say a new manhunt for Moyo is now under way.