TWO men linked to the looting of a service station on Inanda Road, during last year’s July unrest, have been sentenced to a five-year prison sentence.

Sihle Jali (41) and Sifiso Ngcobo (29) were sentenced at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on charges of public violence.

The men were part of a large mob involved in the looting of the service station when they were arrested by two officers from Greenwood Park SAPS.

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“The group pelted police officers with rocks, damaging the police vehicle in the process. The two police officers stood their ground and arrested two men as the crowd began to flee the scene,” explained provincial SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi welcomed the conviction of Jali and Ngcobo.

“We wish to commend the arresting officers, the investigating officer, as well as the prosecutor for ensuring that the perpetrators received a fitting sentence for their actions. This sentence sends a clear message that while the wheels of justice may sometimes turn slowly, criminals cannot escape their day of reckoning,” Mkhwanazi said.

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The duo’s conviction came days before 22 people were arrested by the Hawks on various charges relating to last year’s unrest in KZN.

Bail was set at R3 000 each for the suspects who face charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence, and incitement to commit arson.