Police still investigating involvement of Mandela's grandson in alleged Uber hijacking incident

JOHANNESBURG - Police are still investigating the involvement of one of Nelson Mandela's grandsons in an alleged hijacking incident after he was arrested at the family's property in Houghton on Wednesday. 

Four suspects appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Friday, where they were charged with robbing, kidnapping and assaulting an Uber driver. 

They were arrested on Wednesday at Mandela’s family home in Houghton after the vehicle they allegedly hijacked was traced to the property and recovered.  

One of Mandela’s grandsons, who was arrested alongside the four accused, did not appear in court.

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

Senior prosecutor Mahange ka Mzizi said although Mandela's grandson was not charged, he was not off the hook just yet, as police were still investigating his involvement. 

"Five people were arrested. We will not be able to add the fifth person at this stage up until further investigations are completed. As a result, that’s why out of five arrested people, only four people are before yourself, charged with robbing, kidnapping and assaulting an Uber driver."

According to sources, the four accused ordered an Uber from Randburg to Houghton in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

They proceeded to hijack the victim and steal the vehicle which they later drove and parked inside the Mandela family property on 12th Avenue.