statutory rape SANDF, Police, attempted murder, hijacking

A 20-year-old man was sentenced on Monday. Photo: File.

Ex-SANDF captain gets 18 years jail time for hijacking, attempted murder

Former SANDF captain Tebogo Leburu was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment after he hijacked and shot a man in the face in 2019.

statutory rape SANDF, Police, attempted murder, hijacking

A 20-year-old man was sentenced on Monday. Photo: File.

A former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) captain was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment in the Klerksdorp Regional Court on Wednesday. He was found guilty of hijacking, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen property as well as possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

MAN SHOT IN THE FACE AND SURVIVES TO TELL THE TALE

On Thursday North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the ordeal occurred in 2019 as the former soldier was hiking on the N12 in Klerksdorp.

“A 37-year-old man driving a white Volkswagen Polo stopped and offered the former SANDF captain a lift. Leburu accepted and entered the vehicle, he then asked to be dropped off at Hartbeesfontein. They were near the Manzilpark turn-off when Leburu abruptly aimed a firearm at the driver and ordered him to get out of the vehicle,”

said spokesperson Myburgh.

She further detailed that while the driver exited the vehicle and ran towards Manzilpark, Leburu shot him in his left cheek.

The injured civilian continued running to a nearby house where he was offered assistance and police were informed about the incident.

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EX-SANDF CAPTAIN CAUGHT AT A CAFE

Not long after the hijacking and attempted murder were reported, police in Hartbeesfontein responded to a complaint of a suspicious and speeding vehicle. Myburgh said the lead was pursued to a cafe where the ex-SANDF captain was found in possession of the hijacked white Polo.

“The vehicle was searched and the police discovered two bags containing a car radio, keys, a 9mm Glock firearm and magazine with eight rounds of ammunition. Leburu was arrested after failing to produce a licence for the firearm,”

said Colonel Myburgh

He was sentenced to eight years for attempted murder, 10 for hijacking, 10 for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, and another 10 years for possession of suspected stolen property.

Myburgh said the sentences in the last three counts will run concurrently thus making it an 18-year-long imprisonment.

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