Four men convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping at schools in the Pinetown area intend to file an application for leave to appeal their 35-year prison sentence.

Highway Mail reports that Mthobisi Shozi, Brian Charles, Sbonelo Mkhulisi and Lebogang Magwaza appeared in the Pinetown Regional Court on Friday (August 28), when the matter was adjourned to September 9 for arguments in their application.

Handing down his sentence in July, Magistrate Muntu Khumalo said there was no factual basis that the four were candidates for rehabilitation and that they had shown no remorse during the trial proceedings.

Khumalo said they had carefully planned their attacks on the targeted schools, where they carried out the serious crimes.

He added that their actions had left teachers living in constant fear of being robbed and kidnapped at public schools.

The magistrate pointed out that one witness, a teacher, testified that the ordeal was a life-changing one they would never forget.

The four were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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