Hijack victims’ faith in justice restored
AN ELDERLY couple’s faith in the country’s justice system was restored this week when the second suspect who hijacked them was sent to prison.
Suleman “Solly” Kathrada, 84, and his wife Kogilamba, 77, were assaulted, before the hijackers drove off in the couple’s Honda Brio, which was parked outside the David Landau Community Hall, in Asherville.
When the hijackers moved menacingly towards his elderly wife to grab their car keys, Kathrada, a Durban-based karate expert knew he had to protect her.
In spite of being in his 80s, still recovering from a spinal operation, and relying on crutches to aid his balance, Kathrada’s combat instincts kicked in.
But his efforts came to nought when he was punched in the face and he fell to the ground during the September 2019 incident.
However, the Kathradas said their faith in the country’s justice system was restored when one of their assailant’s received a 13-year prison sentence this week.
Sanele Makhubo Mtshali, 23, who pleaded not guilty to the robbery with aggravating circumstances charge, was convicted and sentenced by magistrate Sophie Reddy at the Durban Regional Court.
This after, in August 2020, Khanyisani Mngadi had admitted to magistrate Fariedha Mohamed his involvement in the hijacking of the Kathradas.
Mngadi was imprisoned for eight years, of which two years were suspended for five years, provided he didn’t repeat the offence.
Vishalan Moodley prosecuted both matters, including that of the theft of the couple’s cell phone and R5000.
Both Mngadi and Mtshali were arrested a day after the incident after the Kathradas’ car was seen in the Inanda area.
Their matters were separated when Mtshali maintained his plea of innocence.
Kogilamba said that on the day of the incident, they were walking to the car from the hall where her husband ran a karate dojo (gym) since 1974.
“My husband was assaulted and he fell to the ground. They struck my face with the butt of a gun. My teeth were damaged and my face was cut,” she said.
“Doctors warned he must never fall. Due to his age, they wouldn’t perform another operation on his back,” she said.
The attack was a huge setback as the functioning of his back had not improved.
Magistrate Reddy was impressed with the couple’s clear and concise recollection of happenings.
Mtshali essentially insisted he was not involved, and his alibi was that he was home with his mother on the day.
During the proceedings this week, Moodley suggested that Mtshali’s mother be called to testify.
Reddy agreed the mother’s testimony would contribute towards achieving a just decision as she was his alibi.
When asked if her son was with her on the day of the incident, the mother said “no”.
The mother recalled that Mtshali had moved out of their home at the time because she continuously reprimanded him for his errant ways.