ANC MP Killed in Hijacking Attempt Hours After ‘Rolex Gang’ Members Arrested

Despite a significant breakthrough in the hijacking epidemic in South Africa, with three members of the notorious ‘Rolex gang’ arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Gauteng’s east rand area, the ANC (African National Congress) has announced with “grave sadness” the death of ANC MP Goodwill Sibusiso Radebe in an attempted hijacking last night in Roodepoort, Gauteng.

Radebe succumbed to injuries sustained from being shot during the incident, said the ANC Chief Whip’s office.

Combating car hijackings is one of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS’s) top priorities.

Just yesterday – three members of the so-called “Rolex gang” were arrested after a shootout with police on the R25 in Modderfontein, Ekurhuleni.

The arrests following a multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation when the suspects were found in possession of a hijacked vehicle on the R25. The investigative team had been conducting surveillance on the suspects since the hijacking of a vehicle in Alexandra in May 2018, according to SAPS.

Just after 1pm on Tuesday, their operational plan was implemented with assistance from the SAPS Airwing and Ekurhuleni Metro Police SWAT members.

When the suspects realised that they had been cornered, they started shooting at the team and police responded.

Three suspects were arrested at the scene, with one sustaining injuries. The vehicle, two handguns with ammunition and other items were seized.

SAPS is applying a collaborative effort of various law enforcement agencies going forward, to tackle the serious level of crime in South Africa, it said.

The National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, said: “It is evident that when we coordinate our efforts, we will emerge victorious against the scourge of aggravated robberies.”

Radebe joined Parliament in 2009 and at the time of his passing, he was serving on the Portfolio Committee on Transport.

During his career, Radebe had been Deputy Secretary of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in Mpumalanga in 1994, and was very much involved in the ANC Youth League.

The ANC sent its deepest condolences to Radebe’s wife and family.

Sources – ANC, SAnews.gov.za