Mpho Petrus Mankhadi, 41, whose violent crime spree across several towns came to a definitive end in the Bloemfontein regional court on Wednesday (22/4).

The series of criminal events began in the early hours of 6 August 2024, at approximately 06:10. Police spokesperson Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, said a sergeant, who had just completed his shift, was approached by Mankhadi at a local spaza shop. 

Following a verbal altercation, Mankhadi physically disarmed the officer and shot him in the hand, and fled the scene with the state-issued firearm.

Various locations

Later that same day, Mankhadi secured a lift from the driver of a white Renault Triber travelling from Klerksdorp toward Bloemfontein.

After manipulating the driver into visiting various locations, Mankhadi produced a firearm near George Lubbe Road in Mangaung. Kareli said the suspect attempted to restrain the driver using a cellphone charger, but the victim managed to escape the vehicle and seek immediate help at the police station.

The suspect’s flight from justice ended on 7 August 2024, when Colesberg police responded to a vehicle accident on Petrusville Road. Officers discovered Mankhadi alone in the wreckage of the hijacked Renault Triber with serious injuries. 

Upon a thorough search of the vehicle, police recovered a firearm that was later positively linked to the robbery of the sergeant in Maokeng.

The dockets were assigned to the prosecution team, which included successful identification parades, officially linking Mankhadi to the crimes in Maokeng and Mangaung.

The court found Mankhadi guilty on all counts, sentencing him to 20 years for hijacking, 15 years for the illegal possession of a firearm, and 20 years for the possession of ammunition.

The court ordered that several sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective 40-year term of imprisonment.

Maj. Gen. Apaphia Modise, deputy provincial commissioner for crime detection, commended the integrated efforts of the Colesberg, Mangaung, and Maokeng stations. He said such collaboration is vital for removing violent criminals from the streets and ensuring justice for the police and the public.

OFM News dg