The man who hijacked Judy Sexwale has been sentenced to 15 years' jail by the Wynberg Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg, The Star reported on Wednesday.

Mbuso Simelane had already spent two years awaiting the end of his trial, which was postponed 21 times as he hired and fired seven private and Legal Aid lawyers.

Magistrate Renier Boshoff found Simelane showed no remorse and was quoted as saying to him: "I couldn't help notice Mr (Tokyo) Sexwale sitting in court and encouraging the mother of the accused... talking to her, comforting her. I'm saying this to illustrate what you've done. These people only showed kindness to you and your family."

Simelane held the wife of Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale at gunpoint outside St David Marist College in Sandton in October 2007.

His eighth lawyer Antonio Marsh told the court on Tuesday that Simelane was married, had two young children, four siblings, was the family's breadwinner and was under "severe personal pressure".

Sexwale's spokesperson Chris Vick said: "The family is satisfied that justice has been done."

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