Two Alex men, Gordon Rangoare (29) and Kervin Zimema (27), were sentenced to seven years in prison each by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court for vehicle hijacking with aggravating circumstances.
A third accomplice, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded in custody pending a further hearing.
The two were found guilty of robbing a man of his Toyota Corolla at about 9.45am in February in Kramerville while he was stopped at a robot. It was said that two of the men pointed guns at the victim from both the driver and front passenger windows. The man on the driver’s side opened the vehicle door and, with his accomplice’s assistance, pulled the victim out of the car and the three got in and drove off.
A female motorist who witnessed the incident took the driver to Sandton Police Station where he reported it. Police on patrol nearby were informed and, within minutes, caught up with the stolen vehicle driving towards Alexandra. They stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver who confessed to the crime. The passenger was also arrested after police fired warning shots as he attempted to escape on foot.
The third accused, who pleaded not guilty, was arrested by other police officers who had seen him running away and then trying to board a taxi. He was found to be on parole for an unspecified crime.
The vehicle was recovered and handed back to the owner.
