Limpopo cash-in-transit robbers sentenced to combined 258 years imprisonment
The two men were convicted and sentenced for a series of cash-in-transit robberies which were committed in Polokwane, Seshego, Mankweng and Ritavi areas, respectively.
POLOKWANE – The High Court in the city, on Wednesday, 21 October, sentenced two cash-in transit robbers to a combined 258 years imprisonment for a series of cash-in-transit robberies which were committed throughout the province.
In a statement, Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke explained that between September and October 2017, Boitumelo Daniel Aphane (34) and Solly Solomon Monama (38) had committed a series of cash in transit robberies in Polokwane, Seshego, Mankweng and Ritavi.
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“The duo were eventually tracked down and arrested in 2018 during a joint operation comprising members from Polokwane Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks and Provincial Organised Crime unit. Aphane was arrested in Dennilton and Monama was arrested in Hammanskraal. Both accused were never granted bail throughout their court proceedings.”
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During their last court appearance the court heard that the first CIT incident happened on 20 September 2017 at the KFC Seshego Circle Centre, the second on 23 September 2017 at a Total filling station in Polokwane, the third on 26 September 2017 at a Shell filling station Mankweng and the fourth on 10 October 2017 at Elegant Fuel garage. On 2 February 2018, they bombed an SBV bakkie and shot two people before taking two canisters with an undisclosed amount of money at Khujwana village.
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In court yesterday, the court found Aphane guilty on 24 counts and sentenced him to 192 years imprisonment while his co-accused, Monama was found guilty on eight counts and was sentenced to 66 years imprisonment, said Maluleke.
Maluleke breaks down the sentences: Aphane was sentenced as follows: five counts of robbery under aggravating circumstances and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on each count; 11 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count; four counts of unlawful possession of ammunition and sentenced to three years imprisonment on each count; three counts of unlawful possession of explosives and sentenced to eight years imprisonment on each count and and added 12 months imprisonment for pointing a firearm. “All sentences are to run concurrently. Aphane, is currently serving 25 years imprisonment for a similar offence and the court also ordered that the accused concurrently serve these sentences with the current sentence.”
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Monama sentenced as follows: two counts of robbery under aggravating circumstances and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on each count; four counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count; two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition and sentenced to three years imprisonment on each count.
Maluleke added that the court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lt Genl Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the hefty sentences imposed on each of the accused and commended the investigation and prosecution team for a job well done.
“The community will be safer and these sentences will serve as a deterrence to other potential criminals.” Lebeya added that the accused will receive corrective lessons in the correctional services facility.
