15-year conviction for attempted robbery and weapon possession
A 20-year-old man was found guilty by the Durban Regional Court of attempted robbery and possession of a weapon after attempting to rob a woman of her religious chain in January of this year.
ON Tuesday, July 5, the Durban Regional Court sentenced and convicted 20-year-old Zanelakhe Dubula to 15 years in prison for attempted robbery and the possession of a dangerous weapon.
The case was investigated by Durban Central detectives.
According to Durban Central SAPS spokesperson, Captain Muzi Maphumulo, on January 16, on Warwick Avenue in Durban, the victim in this matter, a 36-year-old woman named Mrs Naiker, was approached by Zanelakhe Dubula, who threatened her with a knife and demanded her sacred gold chain, which to her, as a Hindu, signifies being a married woman.
“The victim allegedly resisted and cried out for help. She resisted and screamed for help but never let go of the chain. The chain was eventually cut during the struggle,” said Maphumulo.
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The police captain said a Durban Central SAPS police vehicle, which was patrolling around the area, noticed the robbery and swiftly responded and arrested the suspect who was attempting to flee after seeing the police.
The police recovered the weapon that was used, and the case was later assigned to Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo for investigation.
“The victim positively identified the accused during an identification parade, and the investigating officer successfully opposed bail of the accused, citing previous convictions,” said Maphumulo.
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According to Maphumulo, Dubula has been in prison since the time of his arrest.
“The investigating officer had experienced difficulties in encouraging the complainant to testify in court, as she felt that the court would release the accused because the chain was never taken,” said Maphumulo.
“The complainant eventually testified in court. During the trial, the court considered that the accused had previous convictions and the item targeted was important to Hindu culture,” said the Durban Central police captain.
As of July 5, Dubula has been found guilty of attempted robbery, and possession of a dangerous weapon, and was sentenced to a 15-year prison term.
The matter was heard at Durban Magistrate’s Court, and the presiding judge was Mrs S Reddy.
