WHEELS OF JUSTICE TURN QUICKLY FOR ALLEGED HIJACKER

A suspected armed robber accused of hijacking a car at gunpoint along the A1 last Monday has been remanded in custody.

28-year-old Balikii Basuku, and another man still on the run, allegedly convinced Godfrey Julius, 55, that they were interested in buying the Toyota Land Cruiser he was selling for a friend.

Taking the vehicle for a test drive along the busy highway at around 6pm, Basuku and his accomplice turned onto a gravel road near Precious Filling Station on the outskirts of Tatisiding.

Once in the bush, the pair reportedly brandished a shotgun and ordered Julius to exit the car.

As well as the Toyota, valued at P260 000, the suspected robbers allegedly made away with two Nokia cellphones, worth P2 100 in total.

The wheels of justice turned quickly for the suspected hijacker, with the cops nabbing him at Molapo Estates the very next morning following an allnight stake-out on the car. During Basuku’s arrest, a second man managed to escape.

Appearing before Francistown Magistrates’ Court on Friday (27th August) the Foley native was charged with robbery and denied bail.

Securing the suspect’s remand, Prosecutor Keneilwe Moriti revealed they were yet to locate the keys to the stolen vehicle.

“We have not yet taken the statement from the owner of the Land Cruiser. We found it parked at Molapo Estates in one of the yards without its keys. Since we are still looking for the keys and investigating, we plead with this court to remand the accused in prison,” said Moriti.

The Prosecutor’s request was given the green light and Basuku will remain behind bars until his next court appearance on 11th October.