Durban - Six suspects were arrested and handed a hefty sentence for robbing a couple in their Ladysmith home after a vigilant neighbour jotted down the registration number of a “suspicious” vehicle in the area.
Siphesihle Majola, 33, Sibusiso Dladla, 39, Nduduzo Xulu, 22, Thulani Mbhele, 42, Sithembiso Mbuyazi, 36, and Bongani Nxumalo, 35, were each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Ladysmith Regional Court for the robbery they committed in Ladysmith in November 2019.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the men followed the 63-year-old victim Mr Ismail into his house where they assaulted him with a gun and robbed him and his wife at gunpoint.
The robbers took R600 from Ismail and fled.
NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Majola, Xulu and Nxumalo had been sentenced to a further eight years and six months’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
“They were arrested after one of Ismail’s neighbours noticed a vehicle (with suspicious occupants) in the area and jotted down the vehicle’s number plate,” she said.
Ramkisson-Kara said the vehicle’s registration information was handed over to the police.
“The men were found in the vehicle with the money packet taken from Ismail,” she said.
During the court proceedings, Regional Court prosecutor Ashina Devi Singh presented the evidence of the witness as well as cellphone data and records.
Singh also led the testimonies of the victims, who told the court that the incident has traumatised them and they would be relocating, she said.
Ramkisson-Kara said Dladla, Mbhele and Mbuyazi were sentenced to an effective 15 years’ imprisonment, while Majola, Xulu and Nxumalo were sentenced to 20 years and six months’ imprisonment.
“The NPA applauds this successful prosecution and commends the work done by the prosecution and the investigating team.”