The 25-year-old mam who robbed and killed an e-hailing driver in New Brighton township in Gqeberha has been sentenced to two life terms.
The sentence was handed down by the high court in Ggeberha on Wednesday.
Bathandwa Jabavu was found guilty of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances following the February 2021 attack.
Though Jabavu had committed the crime with his two accomplices, one turned into state witness while the other, Wandisile Gawu, was killed in an unrelated incident before the beginning of the trial.
The trio committed the murder after hatching a plan to get quick cash. They agreed they would request a ride on Uber with the aim of robbing the driver.
“A description of the vehicle, its registration number and description of the driver, accompanied by a picture, was sent to the requesters. The trio cancelled their requests until they found a suitable victim,” said National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
After numerous cancellations, they decided on confirming a request to Garrison Keeran Snayers to pick them up at Madala Street in New Brighton.
“The men did not wait in the street but hid themselves until the Uber arrived. They ambushed the driver wielding firearms, and when he tried to escape, they shot him, and he died on the scene. They took money and cellphone and fled the scene on foot,” added Tyali.
Phone messages gave away trio
Police investigations led to the arrest of the three men after the police recovered a cellphone with messages implicating them in the case.
His evidence was accepted by the court and, as a result, was granted immunity from prosecution.
Arguing for the imposition of an appropriate sentence, State Advocate Sivuyile McKay, asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence because the personal circumstances of the accused did not merit a deviation, and the court agreed.
