Four men sentenced for kidnapping, robbing motorist who offered them a lift

THE KURUMAN Regional Court convicted and sentenced four men - Loopang Molaolwa, 34, Mothusi Maele, 39, Herbert Obiditse, 28, and Kagisho Masala, 22 - for the kidnapping and aggravated robbery of a motorist who had offered them a lift.

Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the incident occurred in June 2018, when the accused asked the victim for a lift. While driving, the motorist was ordered to stop the vehicle. When he refused, one of the men pointed a firearm at him, forcing him to comply.

Mnisi said the group then assaulted the motorist, forcing him into the back of his vehicle. They drove him to a remote area, where they forcefully took his bank card and tied him to a tree using his shoelaces and belt.

The victim managed to free himself and sought help. Together with the police, he went to the Grand Hotel, where three of the suspects were found inside his vehicle. The fourth suspect was identified by a witness inside the hotel.

Mnisi added that the police were able to recover the victim's vehicle, cellphone, spare wheel, car radio, speakers, and groceries.

Mnisi explained further that the case was transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, which led to the successful conviction and sentencing of the accused.

They were found guilty of aggravated robbery and kidnapping on October 1 and Molaolwa, Maele and Obiditse were each sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment, while Masala received eight years. All four have also been declared unfit to possess a firearm.