A ZIMBABWEAN man named as one of South Africa's four most wanted criminals is behind bars.

Bongani Moyo, who has been linked to 35 bank robberies and escaped from the Gauteng province’s Boksburg Prison in March, was arrested at about 11PM on Thursday shortly after entering South Africa, police spokesman Colonel Neville Malila said.

“It is clear to us he tried to make a run. We believe he came back to South Africa for urgent medical attention. Acting on information, police arrested him near the border post,” Malila said.

“Moyo claimed he fled from South Africa to Zimbabwe about three days ago. This after he realised that police was hot on his heels and the media was zooming in on him.”

Police said it was believed Moyo, 29, had fled to his native Zimbabwe, for three days but tried to return to South Africa for "urgent medical attention".

They would not disclose what was wrong with him, saying this was part of the investigation.

Moyo was arrested after police received information on his whereabouts.

"Moyo, the alleged leader of a notorious bank robbery gang was nabbed near Beitbridge border post in Limpopo shortly before 11pm," Crime Line spokesman Yusuf Abramjee said.

He has been linked to some 35 bank robberies and police described him as "dangerous".

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros, praised police officers who worked to ensure that Moyo was back behind bars.

"Well done to the special team of detectives who were tasked to track down Moyo and his accomplices,” he said.

“They worked around the clock following up on the many leads of the public. I also congratulate the public for passing on information to Crime Line and Crime Stop."

Last week, the SAPS and Crime Line jointly released photographs of four of the country's most wanted suspects

“There is still one more wanted on the run, Victor Baloyi. The hunt for him is continuing and it's only a question of time before we have him,” added Petros.