A robber from Lothair was handed a hefty sentence by the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on 23 February.
Lizwi Shadrack Dladla (41) was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment and the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
According to Const Bathobile Khumalo, spokesman of Lothair Police, Dladla and two other suspects, Messrs Vusi Khoza (40) and Thabo Vusi Makhubu (31), robbed a local business in Lothair in January 2018.
Const Khumalo said that the gang broke a wall to gain access to the property. When the owner heard the commotion, he went to investigate.
“The owner saw two suspects inside the building, and identified one who was a regular customer.”
The business owner fled from the scene as he realised that his life was in danger.
He ran into Dladla and picked up an iron rod to defend himself. Dladla sustained injuries to the head during the attack.
The other two suspects fled the scene and hid in a nearby house where the police found and arrested them.
Mr Khoza and Mr Makhubu failed to appear for their next court date and a warrant for their arrest was issued.
The Station Commander of Lothair, Capt Vusi Mahlangu, assured that the two accused on the run will be rearrested and he applauded the police for their swift response.
