Life sentence for armed robbers

The Scottburgh High Court sentenced six armed robbers to life imprisonment for murder, attempted cash-in-transit heist, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms as well as ammunition recently.

Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, said in August 2019, security guards were delivering cash to the pension pay point in Hibberdene when they were accosted by the accused.

Mhlongo said the accused fired shots towards the security guard and he died at the scene.

“The driver of the cash van sped off towards the N2 highway and the accused gave chase while shooting at the van. They rammed the cash van until it lost control, the accused failed to get the cash and they fled the scene empty-handed. A case of murder, attempted murder and attempted cash-in-transit heist was reported at Southport police station, and the case docket was allocated to the Port Shepstone based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation. Members followed up on information and recovered the accused’s getaway vehicle in the sugarcane fields. Police pursued leads until they caught the accused at KwaMadlala area,” said Mhlongo.

He added that the the six accused, Thulani Cwele (33), Mpumelelo Ntshangase (47), Bongani Madlala (50), Zenzele Gumede (40), Bheki Ndlovu (45) and Zwanani Cele (34) were arrested.

Mhlongo said during the arrest, police found one AK 47 rifle with 15 rounds of ammunition, one R4 rifle with 17 rounds of ammunition and one 9mm pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition.

“Their bail application was successfully opposed until they were found guilty. Each accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for attempted robbery, five years imprisonment for three counts of attempted murder, 15 years imprisonment for three counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and three years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition. Their sentences will run concurrently,” said Mhlongo.

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