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Limpopo Man Receives 12-Year Sentence for Aggravated Robbery

Published November 11, 2024
3 months ago

After a lengthy and thorough investigation by the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) in Polokwane, 46-year-old Lesley Kau Ramphisa faced a swift hand of justice as the Groblersdal Regional Court sentenced him to 12 years of direct imprisonment for his involvement in a flagrant vehicle robbery with aggravating circumstances that occurred in 2017. This verdict sets a stringent precedent and underscores the resoluteness of the South African legal system in combating vehicle crime.





On a presumably normal day, back on July 13, 2017, Ramphisa and his accomplice crafted a perilous plan. They deceived an unsuspecting motorist into giving them a lift from Middleburg to Dennilton's Tambo Square. Mid-journey, as the vehicle approached Dennilton Thabakhubedu, the situation took a dire turn. Brandishing a firearm, Ramphisa coerced the driver to surrender his position, forcing him into the backseat while his friend hijacked the steering wheel.


Resilience and self-preservation led the victim to discharge his firearm in defense, causing the hijacked vehicle to spiral out of control and consequently, crash into a bridge. In a stroke of fortuitous escape, the victim disentangled himself from the crashed vehicle, while the criminals fled the scene.


The incident prompted an immediate police response. The victim, though traumatized, promptly reported the hijacking, setting off an extensive and meticulous pursuit by law enforcement. The VCIU, renowned for their dedication to vehicle crime cases, took charge of the investigation. Under the commendable guidance of Warrant Officer Lucky Mathibe, the investigative team meticulously pieced together the evidence leading to Ramphisa’s arrest at a local hospital, where he sought treatment for injuries related to the incident. His accomplice, however, remains at large.


In recognition of their unwavering commitment, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, issued high praise for Mathibe alongside all individuals involved in the investigation. Their collective diligence and perseverance culminated in the hefty sentence imposed upon Ramphisa, delivering not only a sense of closure to the victim but also a powerful message to society that such grievous acts of criminality will lead to severe punitive consequences.


This case underlines the importance of law enforcement agencies such as the VCIU regarding vehicle crime — an issue of significant concern to communities and indeed a prevalent threat to public safety. By securing such convictions, the VCIU enhances public trust and emphasizes the effectiveness of the justice system.


This event in Polokwane signifies a triumph for the community, as justice has been manifestly served through concrete and determined investigative work. Hopefully, such outcomes will deter future acts of vehicle-related crimes and reinforce public confidence in the South African justice system.


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