POLOKWANE – The Modimolle Regional Court has sentenced 38-year-old Satiel Ramadikela Molobi to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment after convicting him on multiple charges linked to a series of violent incidents in Modimolle.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says Molobi was found guilty on two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping and one count of theft out of a motor vehicle.

The court imposed 20 years’ imprisonment on each robbery count, five years for the kidnapping counts (combined) and five years for theft out of a motor vehicle. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 25-year prison term.

Molobi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm or ammunition in terms of Section 103(4) of the Firearms Control Act.

The convictions stem from incidents in February 2024, when the accused targeted female victims in Modimolle.

He would wait near residential gates and, when victims stopped to open them, entered and hid inside their vehicles.

Once the victims returned to their vehicles, he would threaten them with a knife and force them to drive around town while robbing them of money, cellphones and jewellery before fleeing on foot.

Following the circulation of information and an intensive investigation by Sergeant Karabo Monyeki of the Modimolle Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, the suspect was traced and arrested.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the investigating officer for his dedication to ensuring the perpetrator was brought to justice.