Feared robber jailed for 19 years

For three years, he terrorised residents in Sohco Flats in Amalinda but Jody Jaggers’ reign of terror finally came to an end when he was sentenced to 19 years in jail by the East London regional court for burglary and theft.

And if found guilty in a rape case which is still in court, the 26year-old Jaggers will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Cambridge police spokesperson Captain Mluleki Mbi said the long arm of the law finally caught up with Jaggers recently.

“He was further linked to his crimes through positive fingerprints and his victims pointed him out in an identification parade,” Mbi said.

Sohco Flats residents chairperson Mzoxolo Nombewu, one of Jaggers’ victims, welcomed the sentence. He said Jaggers had used a firearm during most of his break-ins.

His crimes intensified last year, forcing the residents to form a community neighbourhood watch that patrolled around the area each night.

“He robbed a number of people in our area. He broke into my neighbour’s flat,” he said.

“He robbed my wife and son, who was 11 years old at that time, by using the same method. He ransacked the flat.

“In most burglaries he wanted cellphones and laptops but took anything that he could steal.”

He said a girl was shot during an exchange of gunfire between residents and Jaggers.

Nombewu said he had received endless calls from residents whenever they spotted Jaggers in the area, and a decision was then taken for people to blow a whistle if they saw him.

“Then one night a whistle went off and when we came out, Jaggers started shooting at residents. Some of the people shot back and a girl was shot in the knee.”