Six suspects from Ivory Park were sentenced by Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court for housebreaking with intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Three of the men’s accomplices were also found guilty of rape, which was committed at the same house in Allandale, Midrand, in the early hours of the morning on 2 June 2012. The suspects broke into the house while the complainant, his wife and two children were asleep.
Spokesperson for Ivory Park Police Station, Warrant Officer Neldah Sekgobela explained, “The complainant told the police that he woke up to go and check what was happening. While still at the [front] door, he was approached by the six suspects. One of them beat him with a spanner on the head. They took him and his children to a bedroom where his hands were tied with shoelaces; took his wife to another bedroom where three of the suspects took turns in raping her.”
Before the suspects left the victim’s house, they stole some items in the house including money.
Sekgobela added that the detective investigating the case is satisfied with the conviction and sentencing. She added that he hoped it would be a warning to other criminals terrorising the area.
Ivory Park Police Station’s Commander Brigadier Mthombheni congratulated the detective on the manner in which he investigated the case.
Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court sentenced the men as follows:
- Nyalela Mfundo Jeremy, Thabang Ndaba and Bheki Innocent Nkosi were sentenced to 37 years for housebreaking with intent to rob, robbery with aggravating circumstances and rape.
- George Thabiso Motswere, Dumisani Matthews Khumalo and Godfrey Mokwena were sentenced to 15 years for housebreaking with intent to rob, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
*Ed’s note: To protect the detective, his name has been withheld.
