By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Five suspects have been arrested at former President Nelson Mandela’s property in Houghton for possession of a hijacked vehicle and an unlicensed firearm.
This is the same house where the African National Congress (ANC) struggle icon died in 2013.
Fullview learnt the vehicle was hijacked from an Uber driver in Norwood at around midnight.
The suspects held the victim hostage before dropping him off in Benoni at 6am on Wednesday morning. They then proceeded to drive and park the vehicle at the former home of Mandela.
Johannesburg metro police department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the tactical response unit received information from a vehicle tracking company about the location of a white Toyota Corolla that was hijacked.
Acting on this information, officers proceeded to a residence in Houghton, previously owned by former president Nelson Mandela. Upon entering the property, officers recovered the hijacked vehicle and apprehended five individuals — four males and one female.”
A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of an unlicensed firearm. Preliminary information suggests a female occupant is renting the property and is acquainted with the male suspects.
The Houghton residence — once a symbol of Mandela’s legacy — now lies in disrepair, having recently attracted media attention due to its deteriorating condition.
Reports suggest the house has faced significant neglect since the former president’s grandchildren moved out, purportedly after the City of Joburg discontinued electricity services due to non-payment of municipal bills that skyrocketed from R15,000 to R50,000 monthly.
Mbuso Mandela, one of the late presidents grandchildren, has publicly accused some trustees of the Nelson Mandela Trust of colluding against the family, failing to act in their best interests.