Two armed robbers received a five-year suspended sentence each for an attempted armed street robbery in July 2022.

The Pretoria magistrate’s court handed down the sentence to Lehlogonolo Mashaba (32) from Tanzania and 38-year-old South African Nicholas Paul this past week.

The pair were sentenced to four years in prison suspended for five years.

“The sentence will be served outside prison provided the accused are not found guilty of any crime related to a robbery over the next five years,” said police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela.

Two men and a woman were approached by the attackers while walking on the corner of Proes and Hamilton streets in Arcadia during the early hours of July 2.

The assailants brandished a handgun and demanded valuables from the trio. To their surprise, however, one of the victims began to fight back.

“During the commotion, the said victim was assaulted with the handgun. A police van on patrol approached and the officers apprehended the fleeing suspects,” Mavimbela continued.

Sunnyside police commander Brigadier Matshidiso Kgoadi applauded her fellow officers for their prompt action as well as the community for their bravery and the detectives for their well-conducted investigation.

“I am pleased that more of our residents are prepared to take a stand and testify against the perpetrators of crime. We urge residents to align themselves with the CPF since that would serve to strengthen the hand of the police in the fight against crime,” Brigadier Kgoadi said.

Residents are urged to exercise caution when moving about during early morning and late nights and refrain from carrying large amounts of valuables.

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