Three of four men who were in custody since 28 October 2016 for an armed robbery at a bottle store in Alex were found guilty and sentenced by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.
Nhlonipheni Sibanda (28), Philani Ndlovu (29) who were identified by the victim and Robson Ndlovu (26) who was found in possession of the gun suspected to have been used in the crime, were sentenced by Magistrate Renier Boshoff with Lufuno Maphiri prosecuting.
Sibanda will serve 15 years for pointing the gun; 15 more years for its illegal possession; and three years for possession of illegal ammunition. The terms will run concurrently for 15 years. Philani (Ndlovu) was sentenced to 15 years for the robbery and Robson (Ndlovu) who didn’t get into the shop, to 15 years for being found in possession of an illegal gun and three years for unlawful possession of ammunition. His terms will also run concurrently for 15 years. Pritchard Mguni (23) who was the driver was acquitted as the victim could not identify him.
They drove to the bottle store were Sibanda and Philani entered and ordered beer. When the victim turned around to fetch their order, he heard a gun being cocked and he was overpowered. The two took eight bottles of wine, two bottles of whiskey, R1 000 in cash and cell phones and drove away.
Read: Son attacks father with beer bottle
Police were alerted and found them shortly after in the vehicle at a Sasol Garage in Marlboro. They were arrested and most of the stolen items were found inside and recovered. Ownership of the vehicle wasn’t specified.
