Detective solves hijacking case
The two suspects were arrested immediately and charged with car hijacking and possession of a hijacked vehicle.
Det Sgt Fihlang Molefe from Vosloorus Police Station made a successful arrest and got a heavy conviction for the suspect after following the hijacking case reported to the Vosloorus Police Station on November 15, 2017.
Molefe told Kathorus MAIL the incident happened on the same day in MC Botha Drive, Vosloorus, at 7.30pm.
He said two guys pretended to be looking for a lift to the Chris Hani Mall. The driver, Abram Mankwe (38), who was driving his Ford Laser, stopped, as usual, to pick up the two passengers. The one suspect, Malusi Lwando (25), sat next to the driver and the other, Thulani Sithole (26), sat at the back.
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On the way to the said destination, Sithole pulled out a gun and pointed it at Mankwe, ordering him to stop the car. Fearing for his life Mankwe did as he was told and then moved to the back seat. Sithole then drove away.
Mankwe didn’t know in which direction the car was heading, but realised when the car ran out petrol they were on JG Strijdom Road in Mayberry Park, Alberton, where they told him they were going to sell his car.
They forced him out of the car, took him to a nearby tree, tied him up with his shoelaces and told him to remain there and not move. They took the money in Mankwe’s possession and his cellphone.
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While Lwando and Sithole went to a nearby petrol station to get petrol, Mankwe managed to escape and went to the nearby road where he managed to get help and call the police.
The men in blue responded immediately and rushed to the scene. The police found the two suspects pushing the car to the petrol station. They found, in their possession, the money and cellphone they took from the complainant.
The suspects appeared in the Palm Ridge Regional Court on November 24, 2017, and were sentenced to 19 years in prison on February 5.
Molefe said: “I am excited about the sentencing. I am sure it will open the eyes of other hijackers in the township to stop committing the crime. The 19 years in prison will bring about a huge difference in our community.”
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Communications officer at Vosloorus Police Station Capt Piet Rossouw said: “Vosloorus is experiencing a high rate of hijackings. I believe such a heavy sentence will send a strong message to other hijackers in the township. If they think they are untouchable they must think twice.”
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