A  TRUCK hijacker was sentenced to 20 years in prion for multiple offences committed in October last year.

Nhlanhla Madzinane appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, August 27 for a final judgment on a truck hijacking matter involving two other men who are already behind bars.

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The court heard that Madzinane and his accomplices conspired to hijack a horse and trailer truck transporting petrol from a petrol depo on Tara Road. The petrol was destined for Lesotho.

It emerged in court that Madzinane and his accomplices planned a hit to hijack a truck travelling on Lester Road near Mobeni.

Investigating officer Sergeant Sifiso Shezi of Montclair police station said two armed suspects forced a truck driver to pull over on Lester Road.

“Both suspects jumped into the truck. One suspect took control of the steering wheel and began driving, while the other held the driver at gunpoint, keeping him hostage as the truck was in motion.

“The police received the information about the truck that had been hijacked and decided to pounce on the suspect. The police received further information about the route that the suspects were travelling in and went ahead to block them before they could go out of Durban.

“The police saw a truck travelling on Lester Road, matching the description of the same truck that had been hijacked. They stopped and searched the truck. A jamming device and unlicensed firearm were found,” said Shezi.

Two suspects were arrested at the scene. Police also uncovered that the truck belonged to a fuel company based in Lesotho.

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“Further police investigation revealed that on the day of the incident, Madzinane was following a truck in a private vehicle. When he saw the police stopping the truck, he fled. The investigation also uncovered that Madzinane intended to buy the petrol in the truck, valued at R800 000,” said Shezi.

The accused was found guilty on the following charges:

• Robbery with aggravated circumstances, 15 years
• Kidnapping, 10 years
• Possession of a firearm, 10 years
• Ammunition, six months
• Six months for contravening the Immigration Act

These sentences will run concurrently with his 20-year conviction.

“The other two suspects were denied bail. They will appear in court soon,” Shezi added.

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