The Palm Ridge High Court slapped four armed robbers on 18 January with lengthy sentences for crimes committed in Kinross in 2010.
John Mokhele (47), Mphumelelo Biyana (40), Sifiso Mbhele (44), and Mandla Phanyeko (43), who are the only remaining members in custody of a 12-man robbery gang that wreaked havoc in Kinross on 1 September 2010, were found guilty of and sentenced for murder and armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The band of robbers, armed with pistols and automatic rifles, robbed three houses in Kinross on that day.
They assaulted and tied up their victims and stole mostly money, jewelry and guns.
One of the victims managed to escape on his motorcycle and sped to the police station.
The robbers tried to get away in a Hyundai H1 minivan.
Cops from Secunda (including the Secunda Flying Squad and the Secunda Hawks), Devon and Springs responded to the call.
They shot and killed the truck driver in a hijacking attempt. The gunmen continued to shoot at the policemen as they ran into the veld. A gun battle ensued and the police shot dead three of the robbers and arrested four more.
The other robbers ran into a nearby house, but were eventually flashed out.
Further down the road, three of the robbers hijacked an old Mazda 323.
Police from Gauteng approached these robbers from the opposite direction on the R21 road and drove into a rain shower of gunfire. A police bakkie rolled during this exchange of fire.
The robber driving the hijacked Mazda eventually lost control and crashed the car, killing two of the robbers.
The third robber, John Mokhele, escaped, but was eventually tracked down in Springs where he was arrested by the Hawks. The police recovered numerous firearms, including R5 rifles and handguns.
Despite the investigating officer opposing bail and the Evander Court denying bail to the robbers, the High Court eventually did grant bail to several of the gang members. Simphiwe Nqcobo was released on bail of R10 000.
He was eventually shot dead in another armed robbery while on trial.
Siphiwe Mbonani (39) was also released on bail and, although convicted, never returned to court for sentencing. He is still at large.
The court sentenced Mokhele to 81 years’ imprisonment of which he must effectively serve 22 years.
Biyana, Mbhele and Phanyeko were each sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment of which they must serve 20 years.
The Secunda Hawks asked anyone with information on the whereabouts of Siphiwe Mbonani, to come forward.
Contact the investigation officer, Det W/O Jacob Ras, of Secunda Hawks at 082 462 0760.
Brigadier Obed Ngwenya, acting provincial head of the Hawks Mpumalanga, applauded W/O Ras for his outstanding investigative work.
He also thanked the 88 witnesses who willingly testified at the trial.
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