Tshwane fuel station robbery gang sentenced

The gang convicted of a series of filling station and restaurant robberies in the Tshwane metro has been sentenced.

The gang drove around in a Toyota Quantum in 2018 committing robberies and targeted Pretoria Moot and Villieria area and Sunnyside, Silverton, Brooklyn, Mamelodi and Garsfontein.

On Thursday November 3, the North Gauteng High Court sentenced the gang members to a maximum of 25 years in jail.

The gang, armed to the teeth with firearms, stoked a lot of fear in the hearts of employees and owners of filling stations across Tshwane.

A Villieria detective started the investigation that led to the arrest of the seven gang members on 44 charges ranging from armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed ammunition, possession of stolen property to possession of illegal firearms in November 2018.

The case was transferred to the North Gauteng High Court in early 2020 and during the very lengthy trial, about 32 witnesses testified and video footage was viewed culminating in a guilty verdict on August 8.

The court handed down sentences thus:

– Accused 1 & 2: 25 years imprisonment

-Accused 3: 20 years imprisonment

– Accused 4: 18 years imprisonment

– Accused 5&6: 15 years imprisonment

– Accused 7: 17 years imprisonment

The three years and 11 months the convicted spent in custody awaiting trial was not deducted from their sentences.

Business robberies have become a big concern in the Moot and Pretoria in general, hence the police have urged business owners to observe the following safety tips:

– Do not keep too much money on the business premises.

– Be on the lookout for suspicious customers.

– Do not keep the shop open till late.

– Avoid being alone, especially at night.

– Do not open for anyone after the business has closed.

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