HEFTY SENTENCE FOR CASH IN TRANSIT HEIST ROBBERS

By: Neo Ntsele

Dumisani Khumalo 38, Thobane Chaiphus Khuzwayo 48, and Ndlandla Sijele Sithole 51 appeared before the Free State High Court sitting in Bloemfontein on Monday, 19, where they were convicted and sentenced for armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm as well as ammunition.

Their conviction originates from an incident that took place on 10 November 2021.

It was reported that at about 09:00, security officials were delivering money at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Bethlehem when they were accosted by a group of heavily armed suspects who took an undisclosed amount of money and firearm before fleeing the scene.

The police were activated and the suspects' vehicle was followed and stopped by Lindley SAPS.

A shootout ensued between the police and the suspects which resulted in one of the police officials being wounded.

The suspects then fled to Petrus Steyn and another shootout ensued where one of the suspects was fatally shot.

The other suspects fled the scene in different directions.

Members of Lindley SAPS, Petrus Steyn SAPS, and the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Bethlehem followed the suspects until they arrested them on the same day of the incident.

The case was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation culminating in the conviction of the accused.

The court sentenced the accused as follows: Khumalo was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment on a count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

On five counts of attempted murder, he was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment. Possession of unlicensed automatic rifle, 15 years direct imprisonment.

Possession of ammunition, three years direct imprisonment.

Possession of unlicensed semi-automatic firearm, 15 years direct imprisonment. Possession of ammunition, three years direct imprisonment.

All the sentences will run concurrently.

He will effectively serve 25 years direct imprisonment.

Khuzwayo was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

On five counts of attempted murder he was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment. All the sentences will run concurrently.

He will effectively serve 20 years direct imprisonment.

Sithole was sentenced to 18 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

On five counts of attempted murder he was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment. Possession of unlicensed automatic firearm, he was sentenced 15 years direct imprisonment.

Possession of ammunition, he was sentenced to three years direct imprisonment.

Possession of unlicensed semi-automatic firearm, he was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment.

All the sentences will run concurrently.

He will effectively serve 28 years direct imprisonment.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, has commended the efforts by the investigating officer and the prosecutor in securing a hefty sentence against the perpetrators.

"This will send a strong message to criminals that the police are dedicated to fighting crime," she said.