55 years plus life behind bars

The Rabie Ridge Police Station put a suspect who had been wanted for a very long time behind bars.

Kabelo Chiloane who had committed a few crimes too many was sentenced to life and 55 years behind bars by the South Gauteng Johannesburg High Court on 2 August.

According to Constable Jacob Nhlongo of the Rabie Ridge Police Station, Chiloane (33) from Katlegong, east of Johannesburg and south of Germiston was involved in a hijacking with two of his accomplices.

“The three kidnapped a Caucasian male at a primary school in Sandton while he was about to fetch his child.

“The three men then drove with the victim in his black Range Rover Sport and later dropped him off at Corlett Drive, taking his car. Right after the incident happened, the victim visited the Sandton Police Station to open a case for car hijacking and kidnapping.”

Nhlongo added that the suspects went on committing other crimes using the hijacked car. “The following day, the three armed males, using the stolen vehicle, pulled a white Chrysler motor vehicle out of the road at Lyttleton then robbed and killed the driver, a white male from one of the private cash delivery companies based in Pretoria while he was on duty transporting money.

“The three then took an undisclosed amount of cash and the deceased’s licensed firearm. The matter was reported and police chased after the suspects, with a chopper called in to assist until the vehicle was cornered in Rabie Ridge.

“When arresting Chiloane, the police managed to find the bag full of money and another containing four firearms, three unlicensed with their serial numbers filed off and the deceased’s licensed firearm, housebreaking implements and the Range Rover which was hijacked in Sandton with false registration plates.

“Thereafter, the Rabie Ridge SAPS opened cases for possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of stolen property.”

Nlhongo said the dockets were allocated to a trio task team of the Ekhuruleni District, after it was discovered that there were cases at Sandton Police Station for car hijacking and armed robbery and murder at Lyttleton. Both dockets were collected by the task team to continue a combined investigation, with the Rabie Ridge Police Station case remaining the main case. “The investigating officers collected all the evidence and made sure that no stone was left unturned.”

The accused was found guilty and sentenced as follows:

• 15 years’ imprisonment for hijacking

• 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery

• life imprisonment for murder

• 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearms, serial number removed

• 5 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of firearm

• 5 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition.

Nhlongo said the Rabie Ride Police Station Commander Colonel Johanna Ngoma applauded the good work and dedication shown by their investigating officers for teaching a lesson to the criminals who are terrorising communities. She also applauded them for making sure that citizens are safe.

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/223054/rabie-ridge-police-station-goes-on-a-joint-operation/