After five years on trial, a housebreaking in Blackheath that led to a car chase to Beyers Naudé Drive led to a 13-year conviction for two of the three suspects involved.
The third is still on the run.
Constable Edward Baloyi, the investigating officer in the matter, spoke to Northcliff Melville Times about the case.
He said it was not normal for a case to drag on for five years, but the suspects hoped, he believes, that the victims would eventually stop coming to court.
“They used delay tactics, but the complainants kept coming to court,” he said.
After 11 years with the South African police, Baloyi has had many convictions and he said he is very relieved about this one.
Working on around 45 dockets, or cases, at any given moment, Baloyi said he can manage, but planning is essential. And keeping track of this case has helped him secure this conviction.
The case was opened on 16 March in 2013 after two of the three suspects who had broken into a house, stole a sound system.
A security officer responded to the alarm and caught the trio red-handed. A shoot-out ensued and they escaped in a stolen red Chevrolet bakkie. The driver of the bakkie was shot in his abdomen.
They managed to drive off toward Beyers Naudé and crashed into a stationary vehicle at the traffic light where two of them were captured. The third got onto a taxi and headed towards town.
“Because we were able to lift his fingerprints off the scene, the third suspect was identified and we are looking for him,” Baloyi said.
The pair that made their way to court was convicted and sentenced on 2 March in the Brixton Magistrates’ Court.
They were found guilty of housebreaking and theft, attempted murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and reckless and negligent driving. They will each serve 13 years behind bars.
“I was so happy because I have been carrying this docket for quite some time. I was hoping that this day would come and I never lost hope.”
Details: Fairland Police Station 011 478 9413.
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