Sipho “Smirnoff” Mhlanga, a notorious vehicle hijacker and smuggler, has been sentenced to 53 years in prison by the Mtubatuba magistrate’s court in KwaZulu-Natal. This comes after a national task team cracked down on cross-border criminality, leading to Mhlanga’s successful conviction.
Mhlanga was part of a syndicate involved in smuggling hijacked and stolen vehicles from South Africa to Mozambique through various borders in KwaZulu-Natal. He faced 10 charges including murder, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping.
His accomplice, Vusi Amos Malwane, was also sentenced to 55 years’ imprisonment earlier in June. The task team’s efforts have resulted in the arrests of 276 suspects, with 150 stolen vehicles recovered.
The cooperation between the Mozambique police and the SAPS is facilitating joint operations to combat transnational crimes like vehicle smuggling and kidnappings. This collaborative effort aims to prevent further criminal activities across borders.
It’s a significant win in the fight against cross-border crime, with the authorities dedicated to ensuring safety and security in both countries.
TimesLIVE