The Middelburg High Court has handed down a lengthy prison sentence to 34-year-old Kutlwano Andrew Mathebe, following his conviction on multiple charges for murder, attempted murder, business robbery and malicious damage to property.

The charges stem from a violent robbery which took place on August 24, 2018, when a gang of armed suspects entered Federale Stene in Middelburg.
Travelling in two VW Polos, a Ford Focus, and a BMW 1 Series, the group overpowered the security guards, bombed a safe, and stole more than R400 000 in cash.

Reaction units from various private security companies responded to the scene, but were met with gunfire from the fleeing suspects. Fortunately, no security personnel were injured during the confrontation.

The suspects fled along the old Middelburg/Witbank road, where they encountered the National Tracking Team. When officers attempted to stop the vehicles by activating their blue lights, the suspects opened fire. The police returned fire, resulting in the deaths of three suspects travelling in a silver VW Polo. Three rifles and a 9mm pistol were recovered from the scene.

A high-speed chase ensued after the remaining vehicles. While a blue Polo and Ford Focus managed to escape, a BMW 1 Series was stopped. Although its occupants fled into nearby bushes, the driver, Mathebe, was arrested on the scene.

Trial and sentencing

Mathebe was initially granted bail, and the matter was postponed to February 2020 for his first appearance in the Middelburg High Court. However, after attending court only once, he absconded. Persistent efforts by investigating officer Sergeant Sifiso Mtsweni and his detective colleagues eventually led to Mathebe’s arrest in Mabopane in 2024.

The case proceeded to trial in the Middelburg High Court from June 2 to 20, during which state witnesses were called to testify against Mathebe. He was found guilty on June 20.

Yesterday, Mathebe was sentenced as follows:
• 15 years’ direct imprisonment for business robbery.
• One year for malicious damage to property.
• 30 years for six counts of attempted murder (five years each)
• 60 years for three counts of murder (20 years each)
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, amounting to an effective 20 years’ direct imprisonment.
• The court commended the work of Sergeant Joseph Mtsweni, who led the investigation.
• Advocate Amos Mtshweni and Mr Vusi Vuma were the prosecutors in the case.

• For more details and images of the night of the robbery, and what transpired in court, read this week’s issue of the Middelburg Observer.