Bheki Muzi Nyoni was hijacked and stabbed to death last year by three men who dumped his body in a Rabie Ridge veld. Two of the men were and have been sentenced.
Two men, Senseni Galana and Malive Chikonta, allegedly along with Harries Chikonta, hijacked Nyoni in May last year, taking his Mercedes-Benz. One of the three accused stabbed the victim to death.
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The stolen vehicle was sold to a man in Kempton Park for R20 000. The buyer paid R7 000 and was to pay the balance at a later stage. Nyoni was reported missing at Ivory Park Police Station by his family soon after his disappearance.
“Police investigations of the vehicle registration led them to the buyer’s address in Kempton Park. The purchaser of the vehicle is the one who assisted the police by giving them information about the three men who sold the car to him,” said Rabie Ridge police spokesperson, Captain Mofana Masela.
Police organised a trap which required the purchaser to contact the hijackers and lead them to believe that they could collect the remaining payment for the vehicle.
Galana and Chikonta were arrested when they met up with the buyer to collect the money. The hijackers then led the police to an open field near Boshoff Road in Rabie Ridge, where the body of the deceased was dumped.
Chikonta was sentenced to 15 years and Galana was sentenced to 10 years for robbery, and the pair were both sentenced to 18 years for murder at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court.
“Chikonta is said to be in Malawi and police are still searching for him. They encourage the public to come forward with information regarding his whereabouts,” said Masela.
Details: Rabie Ridge Police Station 011 310 0410.
What lesson can one learn from this story in relation to purchasing cars? Have you ever bought a stolen vehicle? Tweet @MidrandReporter
