Car hijackers sentenced to life after heinous crimes

The Pretoria High Court sentenced car hijackers Tshepo Aubrey Mokoena (33) and Sibusiso Elvis Hlatshwayo (30), from Ekangala to one life term and 82 years direct imprisonment each.

THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY THE CAR HIJACKERS

This is after the car hijackers were convicted on 19 December 2022, for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and two counts of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

On 12 June 2019, a 56-year-old male who is a complainant in the matter was visiting a friend in Soshanguve, block G when he was approached by Mokoena and Hlatshwayo, who pointed at him with a firearm and robbed him of his vehicle, NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said.

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MURDER AND KIDNAPPING PART OF THE CRIMES

“Four days later 16 June 2019, during the day the two kidnapped and robbed Peaceful Khulekani Nxumalo (26), of his car at Bronkhorspruit and later killed him. Later that day, the tracker vehicle recovery services noticed that the vehicle was being driven at high speed compared to the usual speed.

After investigation, the car tracker led them to Bronkhorspruit where they found the car parked next to another car which was stolen a few days before, with Hlatshwayo and Mokoena sleeping in each car,” she explained.

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“The tracker recovery services team then apprehended the two and called the police who arrested them on the scene and have been in custody since.”

Mahanjana

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CONVICTS SENTENCED HARSHLY BY THE COURT

In court, the car hijackers pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them and asked the court to hand down a suspended sentence because they have been in custody since 2019 and have children to take care of.

However, the state prosecutor, Advocate Lawrence More, told the court that the two were not remorseful and that they committed a serious offence, which warrants a maximum sentence. He added that they caused the deceased’s family emotional and psychological trauma as they had to bury a decomposed body of the deceased which was discovered three months after the incident.

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In her judgment, Judge Phahlane agreed with the state that the men showed no remorse and that they have no respect for the law. Therefore, she found no compelling and substantial circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. The sentence given was appropriate.