Court to rule – hijacking or theft of vehicle
RANDBURG – Two of the four suspects involved in a shootout with police at a shopping mall in Randburg CBD appeared in court.
The case of the four suspects involved in a shootout with the Randburg SAPS on 27 January was adjourned to 30 March when the bail application of suspects one and two – originally scheduled for 12 March – will be heard. Suspect three has abandoned his application for bail. Suspect four is still in hospital because of the injuries he sustained during the shootout.
The matter was postponed due to a dispute between the State and the defence whether or not the offence should be classified as Schedule six or Schedule five.
The State prosecutor argued that it is in fact a more serious crime, therefore a Schedule six offence, as the circumstances indicate that the hijacking took place allegedly using a firearm.
Attorneys for suspects one and two argued that it is not a Schedule six offence as they believe that it was only a theft of a motor vehicle and not a hijacking. A Schedule six certificate was also lacking.
It was then suggested by the State that the investigating officer be called to give evidence on the facts of the case whereafter the court will decide whether it is a Schedule five or six offence. Only then will a formal bail application be brought before the court.
The matter continues on 30 March.
