Duduza – The acting station commander of Duduza SAPS, Lieutenant Colonel Hendrick Khambula, welcomes the successful conviction and sentencing of a 35-year-old man who was found guilty of aggravated robbery and kidnapping.

The conviction follows an incident that occurred on the evening of February 1, 2024, in Duduza, near Catch-Up Zone.

According to Duduza SAPS social crime prevention coordinator and communications officer Constable Nobuhle Mnisi, the victim had gone to Catch-Up Zone to buy food for himself and his partner.

“On his way back to his place of residence, a vehicle stopped next to him and one suspect stepped out of the vehicle carrying a firearm and forced the victim into the vehicle.

“While in the vehicle, the victim noticed that there were three other occupants, including the driver and he was placed between two occupants in the back seat,” she explained.

“One of the suspects pointed a knife at the victim and demanded his cellphone. When the victim resisted, the suspect pointed a gun at him, physically assaulted him and threatened to kill him if he did not cooperate.”

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Mnisi added that the suspects then demanded the victim’s bank card and PIN before putting the victim in the boot of the vehicle.

The suspects allegedly drove to Angelo Mall in Nigel with the victim in the boot of the vehicle to withdraw money from his bank account.

“Once the transaction was complete, the suspects drove to Spaarwater Dam where they dropped off the victim, who was injured and drove off with his football equipment, cellphone and the money which they had withdrawn from his account in Nigel.

“The victim was able to identify the suspects as he saw their faces during the incident, which aided the investigation of the case.

“The victim was able to identify one of the suspects from video footage received from the merchant where his bank card was used to make transactions.

“About a week after the incident, the victim saw the same suspect who had made transactions with his bank card in Masechaba View, Duduza.

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“With assistance from the Anti-Crime Unit members, the suspect was apprehended and taken to Duduza SAPS, where he was arrested,” Mnisi cited.

The investigating officer, Sergeant Ambitious Sekonya, worked tirelessly to present an airtight case to the court successfully.

The accused applied for bail at the Nigel Magistrate’s Court. The court denied him bail because he had previously been found guilty on similar charges.

The case was transferred to the Heidelberg Regional Court for trial, where the accused was found guilty of aggravated robbery and kidnapping and given a hefty sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery and an additional five years for kidnapping.

The SAPS commends Sekonya and all role players whose hard work, dedication, and professionalism contributed to the successful conviction of the accused, as well as the victim and the Anti-Crime Unit members for their bravery and efforts that ensured justice was served.

The SAPS remains committed to combating crime and working hand in hand with stakeholders and the community to ensure offenders are brought to justice.