Hijackers court case

MBOMBELA – A court case against three young men from the Greater Tubatse Municipality in Limpopo who are accused of assassinating a mine worker who offered them a lift from Lydenburg to Burgersfort will continue in the Nelspruit High Court from December 9.

The accused, Isaac Sebokuboku Phala (30) of Ohrigstad, Calvin Tjatji (23) of Newstand in Leboeng, and Tshepo Seloane (26) of Mooihoek previously pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and armed robbery. Phala also faces extra charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Information on the charge sheet states that on August 22, 2010 Phala allegedly hijacked the car of the deceased Mr Madingwana Max Matlou (43) of Elephant Hill in Burgersfort, who was driving from on the R37 Road from Lydenburg to Burgersfort.

Unsuspicious of any foul play the deceased offered Phala a lift but when they had reached the outskirts of town just opposite Skhila Secondary School, Phala ordered him to stop the car.

Phala then allegedly shot Matlou and he died on the scene. It is alleged that the two accused immediately dragged the deceased from the car and he was placed in the middle of the road where he was left.

The three allegedly drove on to Burgersfort but overturned the car near Steelpoort.

It is further alleged that the accused robbed the deceased of his Samsung cellphone.