Justice prevails – notorious hijackers, kidnappers jailed

Two men were sentenced to 51 years' imprisonment each for these crimes.

The two suspects were sentenced to 51 years' imprisonment each, but will only serve 20 years. File photo/ Roxy de Villiers

Twenty-six-year old Jason, and 31-year-old Julian Joseph, two notorious hijackers and kidnappers, have finally been put behind bars.

In 2012, the pair went on a kidnapping and hijacking spree. The first incident was on 27 April, 2012 at about 12.45am, when they hijacked a Mazda 2 in Jeppe, Johannesburg. They kidnapped the driver and later dropped him in an unknown location.

The second incident took place on 1 May, 2012 at about 1.30am when they hijacked a Mercedes Benz in Brixton and again kidnapped and dropped the owner off – this time in Eldorado Park. The two vehicles were later brought to a mall in Randfontein where the Mercedes was dropped off. The suspects drove off in the Mazda, but were spotted by the Randfontein Police – and so the chase began.

They were chased all the way to Westonaria where they were arrested and found in possession of a firearm, ammunition, and the keys to the hijacked Mercedes Benz.

“They were positively linked to the hijackings during an identification parade,” said Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson.

They were found guilty on:

• Two charges of kidnapping

• Two charges of hijacking

• One charge of fraud

• One charge of contravention of the Road Traffic Act

• One charge of being in the possession of an unlicensed firearm

• One charge of being in the possession of ammunition

• One charge of reckless driving

The pair were sentenced to 51 years’ imprisonment each, but will effectively serve 20 years behind bars.

Magistrate Mahlangeni presided over the matter while Lukas Smit prosecuted on behalf of the State.

Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander congratulated the investigating officer, Constable Wiseman Gina, who is attached to the Provincial Vehicle Identification Services, for his efforts in the investigation.

“The constable went the extra mile to secure these sentences. Colleagues attached to the National Prosecuting Authority did their part in addressing the matter successfully,” Ernst said.

“Incidents of hijacking and kidnapping are a concern and this sentence should serve as a deterrent to like-minded criminals. Congratulations to all involved in securing this excellent outcome,” said Manamela.

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