CORRECTION: The grandson of Nelson Mandela was arrested but released prior to making a court appearance due to a lack of adequate evidence.
Johannesburg – Those detained in relation to the hijacking of an Uber driver appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of robbing the driver and stealing his vehicle.
However, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, who was identified as the fifth suspect, did not appear as he was not charged with any crimes.
The hijacking occurred in the affluent Houghton area, the same neighborhood where Mandela’s home is located.
The defendants, who cannot be named until after participating in an identity parade, are facing accusations of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and assault.
The prosecution alleges that on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the suspects requested an Uber ride before reportedly robbing the driver of his car.
The driver alerted the tracking company, generating an alert to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit.
This unit successfully tracked the stolen vehicle to a former residence of ex-President Nelson Mandela in Houghton.
Upon entering the location, officers apprehended five individuals and located the alleged stolen vehicle, its license plates, and a firearm.
Moreover, the driver reportedly lost R800 in cash along with an additional R300 from their account.
“The fifth suspect has been released due to a lack of sufficient evidence linking him to the alleged offenses,” said Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng.
“The NPA will wait for the completion of the ongoing investigations before deciding on whether to pursue prosecution.”
The case is scheduled to be resumed on January 17, 2025, for further inquiry and a potential bail application.
