Mandela grandson leaves court, not charged in hijacking case
The relative of former president Nelson Mandela was seen leaving the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday afternoon.
The State has told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that the fifth suspect in the hijacking case linked to the home of global peace icon Nelson Mandela will not be added at this stage.
However, he remains a suspect.
Five people were arrested following the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla used by an e-hailing driver on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Mandela grandchild among five arrested for hijacking
The four accused face schedule six charges of robbery under aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and assault after the state alleged that they hijacked an e-hailing driver in Norwood and dropped him off at an undisclosed location near Boksburg, on the east rand.
The driver was also allegedly robbed of R800 in cash, and an additional R300 from their account.
Magistrate Johan Herman granted the State’s request to bar the media from publishing the identities or any identifying markers of the accused until their next appearance, as the state intends to hold an identity parade on the weekend.
They are expected to be back in court on 17 January.
While he was seen in court ahead of the appearance of the four accused, the absence of Mandela’s relative in the dock was glaring, as earlier reports of his arrest and alleged involvement in a hijacking piqued the public’s interest.
State Prosecutor Tshepo Mzizi explained that the fifth accused would not be added to the case for now as investigations continue.
"The fifth fifth suspect was released due to insufficient evidence linking him to the alleged offenses. The [National Prosecuting Authority] will await finalisation of outstanding investigations against them, before deciding whether they should be prosecuted,' said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
The four accused remain in custody until their next appearance.
They indicated in court that they intend to apply for bail.
Moments after proceedings concluded, a dishevelled figure dressed in jeans, a grey jacket, and a black cap, recognisable as one of Madiba’s grandsons, emerged from the court precinct accompanied by two other men.
The men all slipped into a silver Mercedes Benz.
The group used the court exit opposite the Chancellor House office building, a provincial heritage site on Fox Street, which once housed the Mandela Tambo Law Firm, which was run by two struggle icons (Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo).
The same exit is also marked by a towering statue of a sparring young Nelson Mandela in his boxing attire.
This article was edited to include additional information from the NPA.
ALSO READ:
