Vehicle hijacker and smuggler gets 53-year sentence

A national task team deployed to the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to clamp down on cross border criminality has ensured the successful conviction of another wanted cross-border vehicle hijacker and smuggler.

Last week, the Mtubatuba Magistrate’s Court sentenced 37-year-old Sipho “Smirnoff” Mhlanga to 53 years imprisonment.

Mhlanga was arrested in August 2023 and was linked to a syndicate that had been smuggling hijacked and stolen vehicles from South Africa to Mozambique through various borders in KZN, said National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

“Mhlanga had been in custody since his arrest and was found guilty on June 19, 2024 for 10 counts of charges including murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping,” said Brigadier Mathe.

“In June 2023, Mhlanga’s accomplice, Vusi Amos Malwane was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment by the Ingwavuma Magistrate’s Court. To date, the task team which was deployed in February 2023 to Emanguzi has arrested 276 suspects with 107 still in police custody. So far 150 vehicles that were either stolen or hijacked have been recovered, with the majority of those recovered being 4 x 4 vehicles. During this period 93 SUVs and or 4x4 vehicles and 57 sedans were recovered.”

Brigadier Mathe said 135 of these vehicles have been handed over to their lawful owners. More than 70 illegal and unlicensed firearms were also confiscated which include 14 rifles.

There is a joint action plan in place between the Mozambique police and the South African Police Service (SAPS) which is aimed at addressing transnational crime in both countries, said Brigadier Mathe.

“The joint action plan aims to ensure a dedicated team from both countries meet on a regular basis to conduct joint cross border operations. The aim is to prevent and combat cross border vehicle smuggling, kidnappings and stock theft,” said Brigadier Mathe.

The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) CEO, Lwazi Mboyi, said the agency notes the progress registered by law enforcement authorities in the country in the fight against cross-border crimes.

“This is a step in the right direction because cross-border crimes and related syndicates frustrate South Africa’s efforts to improve and build a healthy trade between the country and neighbouring countries. It is for this reason that we commend the work that has been done thus far, and we would like to wish SAPS well in their efforts to eliminate cross-border crimes,” Mr Mboyi said.

The C-BRTA is a statutory body operating in a commercial environment, with government represented by the Minister of Transport. The agency facilitates the unimpeded flow of freight and passenger cross-border movements and plays a critical role in the implementation of cross-border road transport agreements and issuing of cross-border operator permits.