Five suspects, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, were arrested following the recovery of a hijacked Uber vehicle at the historic Houghton residence in Sandton on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
Four of the suspects, excluding Mandela’s grandson, appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, January 10. The grandson, whose identity is known to Independent Media but has not been confirmed by the South African Police Service (SAPS), is involved in a case that raises concerns about both public safety and the security of the iconic family home.
According to police reports, the hijacked vehicle was taken the previous night in Benoni, and the suspects are believed to have driven around with the vehicle’s driver still inside. Details on the driver’s current condition remain unclear, though it is reported that he is at a police station in Ekurhuleni, preparing to file an official hijacking report.
The four suspects face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and assault. Prosecutor Tshepo Mahange kaMzizi informed the court that these charges are currently preferred.
Mahange kaMzizi explained that five people were arrested, but only four were appearing in court at this stage. He noted that the fifth suspect’s involvement will not be addressed until further investigations are completed.
The charges stem from the robbery and assault of the Uber driver earlier this week, as presented in court. Mahange kaMzizi requested that the matter be postponed until Friday, January 17, for an identity parade and additional investigation.
The four suspects chose to be represented by Legal Aid, and their attorney objected to the postponement, arguing that it should not extend beyond seven days to avoid infringing on their right to apply for bail. The lawyer also stated that the identity parade should have been conducted immediately upon their arrest.
In response, Mahange kaMzizi stated that the state is entitled to a seven-day period for the identity parade, explaining that the process could benefit both the prosecution and the defense in bail proceedings.
Magistrate Johan Herman agreed to postpone the matter until next Friday for a bail application. He also issued an order that the suspects’ identities, including their names, faces, race, and gender, not be disclosed until their second court appearance. Furthermore, the court proceedings were not to be recorded live.
Mahange kaMzizi indicated that the prosecution would oppose bail and warned the suspects that they could face prison sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years if convicted, regardless of whether this is their first offense.
Xolani Fihla, a spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, declined to comment on why Mandela’s grandson did not appear in court, referring inquiries to the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.
