THE community of Wentworth are slowly breathing a sigh of relief following the sentencing of an armed robber, Jodane Diamond Walljee.

Also read: Wentworth murder: Man sentenced to 15 years

Walljee was sentenced to nine years imprisonment at the Durban Regional Court recently for robbing a 23-year-old man of his cellphone on November 11 last year.

According to information received from the police, the victim was walking along Gavin Place in Jacobs when he was accosted by the accused. The State proved that the suspect was armed with a knife on the day of the incident.

Police spokesperson in Wentworth, Captain Mbuso Gumede said, “The same suspect was armed with a knife at the time, and demanded that the victim hand over his cellphone.

“In response, the victim quickly fled in the opposite direction to avoid confrontation. However, the suspect pursued him, brandishing the knife and continuing to demand the cellphone. In an attempt to prevent further escalation, the victim threw the cellphone over a nearby wall as the suspect continued to chase him,” said Gumede.

Also read: Church leaders and residents march to address Wentworth’s social ills

The victim managed to escape and reported the matter to the Wentworth Police Station.

The case docket was assigned to Detective Sergeant Buyi Mnguni, who then started the investigating process.

On the same day the detective followed leads and gathered information, learning that the cellphone had been sold to an individual known to the suspect.

“Mnguni continued the investigation, eventually tracing the person who had purchased the stolen cellphone. On December 5, 2024, the suspect was arrested. The victim was then contacted and asked to come to the station to identify the stolen property, confirming that it was indeed the cellphone taken from him,” Gumede added.

“Mnguni was highly commended by the station commander, Colonel Sinayo Mtshali, and the station management for her excellent dedication in dealing with this case,” said Gumede.

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