28-year-old Melusi Amen Magubane will spend an effective 20 years in prison for carjacking and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition
On the afternoon of December 2, 2015, Magubane robbed a 34-year-old man in the Roosboom area. He was being given a lift at the time when he produced a firearm and ordered the owner out of his bakkie.
He drove the stolen vehicle to the Winterton area and parked it at a homestead under the pretext that the vehicle had a mechanical problem. He promised the owner of the premises to return and have the vehicle towed away the following day.
Police were informed and a case docket was opened.
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The docket was transferred to the Ladysmith Vehicle Identification Section (VIS) and Constable PPS Dlamini was tasked with the investigation. He immediately began tracing the suspect. The following day, he visited his house, which is situated in the Ladysmith area.
It was discovered that the suspect was in the Ladysmith CBD at the time. Dlamini was able to obtain a photo of the suspect and rushed to the CBD to search for him. A few hours later, he located the suspect at a local filling station.
When searched, Magubane was found to be in possession of an unlicensed 9mm pistol which had nine rounds in its magazine. He also had a set of car keys and it was established that the keys belonged to the stolen vehicle.
While being interviewed, he revealed the location of the stolen vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered by police.
Magubane was charged and stood trial for carjacking and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on count one and 15 years on count two. 10 years of each are to run concurrently, so he will serve an effective 20 years in prison.
The case was heard in the Ladysmith Regional Court on Monday (April 4).
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