A man who was arrested for attempted hijacking and robbery was instead, sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery aggravating by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.
Accused Tsakani Mabunda (45)who has previous criminal records was convicted despite his not-guilty plea for the crime which occurred mid-afternoon on 10 June at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Vincent Tshabalala Road. He was apprehended by the victim, a motorist and his passengers assisted by community members about 400 metres from the crime scene as he and two accomplices, who are at large, fled.
They pounced on the victims at a red robot with the vehicle’s windows open and at gunpoint, demanded phones and wallets. The accused grabbed a chain from the driver’s neck and took his R30 000 wristwatch.
In mitigation, he claimed it was a case of mistaken identity as no stolen items were found on him and that a mob coming in his direction ran him down as they fled from gunshots. The gang surrounded and beat him up while accusing him of firing the shots. The victims countered the claim saying they didn’t lose sight of him during the chase through his clothes.
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Awaiting trial youth sentenced for previous botched hijacking
