KZN cross-border car smuggler sentenced to 53 years behind bars
Sipho ‘Smirnoff’ Mhlanga was sentenced to 53 years imprisonment in the Mtubatuba Magistrates Court this week following his arrest in August 2023.
Mhlanga was linked to a syndicate behind the smuggling of hijacked vehicles between South Africa and Mozambique through various borders in KwaZulu-Natal.
“A national task team deployed to the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal to clamp down on cross border criminality has once again ensured the successful conviction of another wanted cross border vehicle hijacker and smuggler,” said national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
The 37-year-old had been in custody since his arrest and was found guilty on 19 June 2024 for 10 counts of charges including murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.
In June 2023, Mhlanga’s accomplice , Vusi Amos Malwane was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment by the Ingwavuma Magistrate Court.
“To date, the task team which was deployed in February 2023 to Emanguzi has arrested 276 suspects with 107 still in police custody.
“One-hundred-and-fifty (150) vehicles that were either stolen or hijacked have been recovered, with the majority of those recovered being 4 x 4 vehicles. During this period 93 SUVs and or 4x4 vehicles and 57 sedans were recovered,” Mathe added.
Of the recovered vehicles, 135 have been handed over to their lawful owners.
Mathe said there is a joint action plan in place between the Mozambique police and the South African Police Service which aims to address transnational crime in both countries.
“The joint action plan aims to ensure a dedicated team from both countries meet on a regular basis to conduct joint cross border operations with the aim of preventing and combating cross border vehicle smuggling, kidnappings and stock theft.”
She says more than 70 illegal and unlicensed firearms were also confiscated which include 14 rifles.
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