Hijacking accused sentenced to 18 years imprisonment

POTCHEFSROOM – The Klerksdorp Regional Court sentenced Tebogo Alpheus Leburu (49) on Wednesday, 20 April 2022, to 18 years’ imprisonment after the accused was found guilty of hijacking, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen property as well as possession of a suspected stolen firearm and ammunition.

Information presented before the court indicated that Leburu who was a Captain in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), was on Saturday evening, 23 February 2019, hiking on the N12 in Klerksdorp, at a robot close to a local casino. A 37-year-old man, driving a white Volkswagen Polo, stopped and offered him a lift. Leburu got into the vehicle and asked to be dropped off at Hartbeesfontein. They were near the Manzilpark turn-off when Leburu suddenly pointed him with a firearm and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and ran towards Manzilpark, when the accused shot him on his left cheek. He continued running to a nearby house where he was offered help, including informing the police about the incident.

Shortly after this incident, police in Hartbeesfontein on patrol, received and speedily responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at a café where Leburu was found in possession of the hijacked white Polo. The vehicle was searched and the police discovered two bags containing a car radio, keys, a 9mm Glock firearm and magazine with 8 rounds of ammunition. Leburu was arrested after failing to produce a licence for the firearm.

The accused was sentenced as follows:

Count 1: Attempted Murder: Eight years imprisonment.

Count 2: Car Hijacking: Ten years imprisonment.

Count 3: Possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition: Ten years imprisonment.

Count 4: Possession of a suspected stolen property: Ten years imprisonment.

The sentences in count 2, 3, and 4 will run concurrently. The accused has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

Lieutenant General Kwena congratulated the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Tebogo Morake of the Klerksdorp Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) for the sterling job he did in ensuring that the accused is found guilty and convicted to do the time in jail.

Source: South African Police Service