Four suspects arrested at Madiba's Houghton property for hijacking could face hefty jail time

JOHANNESBURG - Four suspects arrested for robbing, kidnapping, and assaulting an Uber driver and then parking his stolen vehicle at former President Nelson Mandela’s family home in Houghton, could face hefty jail time. 

The accused appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Friday.

The court heard they acted in common purpose when they hijacked an Uber driver in the early hours of Wednesday.

The stolen white Toyota Corolla was recovered parked at the Mandela family property in Houghton by authorities. 

Senior prosecutor Mahange ka Mzizi outlined how much jail time the accused could face if found guilty on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances. 

"First offenders stand a chance to be sentenced to 15 years on count number one. If they are second offenders they can face 20 years if they are third offenders it’s 25 years if found guilty."