40 YEARS IMPRISONMENT TO A CAR HIJACKING SYNDICATE
The Mtubatuba High Court has sentenced Sipho Smirnoff Mhlanga (37), to an effective 40 years imprisonment following his conviction on four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, four counts of kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. Between December 2022 and August 2023, Mhlanga and others targeted people who owned 4×4 vehicles. They would hijack the victims, and take them to a secluded spot in Emanguzi, where there would be other assailants present. These assailants would keep guard on the victims until they received a call from the hijackers (who went away with the motor vehicle) that the victims should be released. The vehicles were taken to Mozambique for sale. The victims were threatened at gunpoint and were also robbed of other belongings such as cellphones, money, and bank cards. When Mhlanga was eventually arrested on 14 August 2023, he was found in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In court, Adv. Eric Xolani Sindane, for the state, led the testimonies of the victims, who also positively identified Mhlanga in an identity parade, thus linking him to the crimes. Further, Sindane handed in Victim Impact Statements, compiled by two of the victims and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Sithembile Cebekhulu. Both the women said that the incident had left them terrified. One said that she expected the worst to happen when they were being held captive. The other said that she was still in shock and disbelief that her vehicle was taken. She also said that she now has difficulty sleeping; and is still paying for the stolen items.
Mhlanga was sentenced to an effective 40 years imprisonment and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA applauds this successful prosecution, and we commend the work done through the fruitful collaboration between the Prosecution, the Emanguzi Cross Border Presidential Task Team, the SAPS and other stakeholders. We hope that this sentence has a deterrent effect on like-minded people.
