A BRAZEN 25 year old hijacker, Sibusiso Blessing Zondi, was sentenced to eight years in prison on Friday 17 January at the Pinetown Magistrate’s court.
According to Lt France Mkhize, of the Hillcrest SAPS, Zondi and an accomplice confronted a woman, who had stopped next to the road on Kassier Road in Assagay to answer her cell phone on 4 April 2012.
“One of the accused, who was armed with a handgun, ordered the victim out of the vehicle. When she defiantly refused the accused jumped into the vehicle, and ordered the victim to hand over her handbag,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize reported that the victim once again refused to comply and hung onto her handbag. She also repeatedly pressed the hooter to attract attention.
Subsequently, the accused forced the victim out of the vehicle, and sped off in the direction of Inanda Road.
The SAPS tactical response team later spotted the accused driving the victim’s vehicle along Wyebank Road and a chase ensued.
Zondi was arrested as he attempted to escape on foot, after the stolen vehicle crashed into a tree. His accomplice managed to evade police.
Mkhize reported that he was later arrested, but was ultimately acquitted, as the prosecutors did not have enough evidence against the accused.
