MOZ MAN SENTENCED FOUR YEARS NO FINE FOR TRUCK THEFT

MANZINI – The Mozambican who stole a truck along the N12 Highway, near Potchefstroom, was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of a fine.

The Nissan UD90 truck which is valued at E650 000, was in lawful possession of Gregory Marule of South Africa. Victorious America Come (31) of Mozambique was arrested near Bhunya while he was trying to convey the vehicle to Maputo.

Come appeared for sentencing before Magistrate Mthokozisi Dlamini on Friday. When leading evidence,  Marule, who resides in Midrand and works for U-Rent Rentals, told the court that he was in Krugersdorp going to Vereeniging when a VW Golf sedan approached him and seven men alighted.

He further stated that the suspects pointed rifles at him and ordered him to surrender the truck.
“They ordered me to come out of the truck. There was also a Golf 7 and I was ordered to board another vehicle, a Datsun sedan, where I found two men inside. The people drove off with me and eventually dropped me off at Alberton.

“Before dropping me off at Alberton, they stole my two cellphones and E600 cash.
“I had to request some boys to allow me to make phone calls to my employer using their cellphones. My bosses arrived and we went to the police station to report the incident and also opened a case,” Marule said.

He also confirmed to the court that the chassis number had been changed. When he was cross-examined by Come, he revealed that there was no way he could tell if he was one of the people who hijacked him on the day as they were too many.

The investigator of the case, Sergeant Ayanda ‘Stulutulu’ Dlamini, told the court that they had received information that there was a stolen truck which had been recovered at Sandlane Border Post, near Bhunya, as it had just entered the country.
“I then contacted my South African counterparts and enquired about the registration plates. We then went to Bhunya Police Station with other officers and found the truck being driven by Come.

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