MODIMOLLE HIJACKER SENTENCED TO EFFECTIVE 25 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT
Limpopo, South Africa – The Modimolle Regional Court has sentenced 38-year-old Saltiel Ramadikela Molubi to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of theft. The court ordered that the sentences imposed for the robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping counts run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment.
Molubi pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the State led the evidence of several witnesses. The first incident occurred on 25 January 2024. A 65-year-old woman was attempting to open her garage door at her home when she noticed the accused inside her vehicle, which was parked in front of the garage. Fearing for her safety, she retreated into the house and observed through a window as the accused stole money and keys from her vehicle. He fled when security guards arrived at the scene.
In a separate incident, a 48-year-old woman was hijacked at night in Modimolle just after arriving at her home. Before she could alight from her vehicle, the accused approached her window, pointed a firearm at her, and instructed her to open the gate at gunpoint. He then drove off with her inside the vehicle. Along the way, the victim managed to jump from the moving vehicle. She was assisted by a passerby who contacted the police and was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention.
Four days later, the accused hijacked a third victim, aged 46, at a stop sign in Modimolle. He approached her vehicle, pointed a firearm at her, and ordered her to move from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. He drove her to nearby bushes but fled on foot after noticing a police van in the vicinity. The accused was arrested the following month while attempting to rob a group of women in Modimolle town. He was apprehended by police officers who were conducting patrols in the area. During the trial, Court Preparation Officer Ms Nombulelo Mayekiso assisted the victims in preparing to testify.
In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Mr Joseph Sibanda submitted that the accused showed no remorse for his actions and had terrorised women in the Modimolle community. The State further argued that the accused specifically targeted vulnerable women who were entitled to the court’s protection. His criminal record reflected two previous convictions for similar offences, demonstrating that he had failed to reform. The prosecution, therefore, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence. The Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, expressed hope that the sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to would-be offenders who terrorise communities. The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crime are held accountable and that communities, particularly vulnerable members of society, are protected through the effective prosecution of serious offences.
