Boksburg SAPS’ detective team’s diligent work saw the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court handing down a lengthy jail term to the Zimbabwean national who had been behind the Boksburg Uber and Taxify robberies.
According to the Boksburg police spokesperson, Const Ntsako Ledwaba, the robber, Calvin Mshini, described as the Kingpin of the Uber and Taxify robberies in the city, was handed down a 15-year prison sentence on January 21.
“Boksburg was regarded as a high risk area to operate Uber and Taxify businesses, but the situation changed in 2018 when Sgt Azwi Mphaphuli and Const Thabo Makomene followed up on information and subsequently arrested Mshini who is regarded as a leader of the gang, which had been terrorising the transport operators around Boksburg.
“He was arrested and linked to robberies of Uber and Taxify drivers in our policing precinct,” said Ledwaba.
The case was assigned to Det Sgt Vernon Booysen who, apart from securing the conviction, also successfully opposed bail against Mshini, and thus the accused remained in custody until his case was finalised.
“Prior to his sentence, the court heard how Mshini, along with his accomplices, attacked the drivers,” said Ledwaba.
Ledwaba explained that to pounce on the unsuspecting operator, the robbers requested an Uber and Taxify ride. When the drivers who received these requests arrived, the robbers climbed into the particular cars and so proceeded to rob the drivers of their belongings, including cellphones and cash, all at gunpoint.
The thugs’ last victim had his vehicle hijacked before it was later recovered by the police.
The other gang members are, however, still on the run.
The Boksburg SAPS station commander Col Daniel Baloyi commended his members for ensuring that the robber gets arrested, convicted and handed down a lengthy jail term for his crime, as this will send a strong message to would-be-robbers that criminals are not tolerated in the city.
