GQEBERHA - MAN GETS 24 YEAR SENTENCE FOR MOTHERWELL HIJACKING

A 38-year-old hijacking accused was sentenced in the Motherwell Regional Court on Wednesday, 23 March 2022, to a total of 24 years imprisonment, after he was arrested on 14 August 2020 for the hijacking of a mini bus in NU 5 Motherwell.

On the said day, at 17:15, the driver of a Toyota Quantum minibus was transporting employees home from a rehabilitation facility. 

While traveling in Nzunga Street, NU5 in Motherwell, the driver was pointed with a firearm and forced off the road by a Nissan vehicle with three suspects.  

The driver and the one passenger in the Quantum were forced out of the vehicle, where after the suspects fled with the mini bus. 

The hijacking was witnessed by an off-duty police officer who alerted SAPS Ikhamvelihle Crime Prevention members.  

The members immediately responded and a high speed chase ensued from Kwalimanzi towards Ngxangxosi Streets in Motherwell where the members intercepted the Nissan vehicle and arrested one suspect.  

An unlicensed firearm with ammunition were also confiscated. 

The hijacked Quantum mini bus was found abandoned in Ngxangosi Street.

The accused remained in custody for the duration of the trial and through proper investigation, the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Jacques Joubert was able to link the Nissan vehicle directly to the hijacking of the Quantum. On Friday, 18 March 2022, the accused Cumile Nogqala was found guilty and on Wednesday, 23 March 2022 he was sentenced as follows:

Charge 1:

Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 15 years direct imprisonment

Charge 2:

Possession of unlicensed firearm: 6 years direct imprisonment

Charge 3:

Possession of ammunition: 3 years direct imprisonment

The possession of unlicensed firearm and the possession of ammunition will run concurrent to the robbery with aggravating circumstances. The accused will effectively serve 15 years in prison.

The Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Luntu Ngubelanga applauded the excellent investigation by Detective Warrant Officer Jacques Joubert of VCIU. ‘This sentence is welcomed and should serve as a lesson to any person who thinks that he/she  can commit such criminal deeds and get away with it. In our quest for justice, we will ensure that our cases are thoroughly investigated and criminals receive the maximum punishment. Vehicle hijackings are of a concern in the metro and those arrested will not be spared,’ added Brig Ngubelanga.

SAPS