LEBOGANG Stone Mbuli (34) and Sipho Maseko (34) from Tembisa have each been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for an armed robbery that took place at the Assembly of God Church in Norkem Park in April.
The accused have been charged with business robbery and possession of suspected stolen property, said Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, Capt Lesibana Molokomme.
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“The two suspects robbed the pastor and congregation during their weekly prayer meeting. Items stolen included cellphones, money, bank cards, jewellery, wallets and handbags. On their way out from the scene they took a Nissan Navara that belonged to one of the church members,” explained Molokomme.
Norkem Park CPF patrollers, MML Security as well as AfriForum’s Community Response Unit members assisted in bringing the two suspects to book within an hour of the robbery.
At around 2am the following day three other suspects were arrested but during court proceedings they were found not to be linked to the crime.
Molokomme said during the arrest most of the stolen property was recovered, including the Navara.
The case, he said, was investigated by D/Const Tshepo Ralph Chuene.
“The sentencing is to send a strong message to others that crime does not pay.”
Norkem Park SAPS station commander, Col Tobias Strauss, thanked all role players who took part in the arrest and conviction of the two accused.
