Buli Sonqishe
Archibald Nxasane, who is in his late 30s, has been convicted and sentenced at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court to 15 years in prison for attempted murder and robbery.
In November 2016, the NEWS reported that a man was wanted for shooting and assaulting members of the Sebenza SAPS while they were patrolling in August 2016.
Constable Sabelo Nkosi of the Sebenza SAPS arrested Nxasane on November 5, after receiving a tip-off about his whereabouts in Witbank.
At the time, Sebenza SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sharon Tsotsotso said the members were driving a marked police vehicle on patrol when they stopped a white Ford Focus with three male occupants.
“The driver exited the vehicle and told the police the registration disc of the vehicle was in the boot. Accompanied by one of the officers, the driver went to the boot while the other members kept guard. While the driver was getting his disc, the other two men in the vehicle jumped out and grabbed the SAPS member. They took his firearm and assaulted him,” said Tsotsotso.
Nkosi said they applied tracing techniques to locate the whereabouts of Nxasane.
He said Nxasane was identified and the area was visited by members of the SAPS.
He rushed to Witbank as soon as he received the call that Nxasane was indeed the man they were looking for.
“I received the call around midnight that the suspect was identified by neighbours and I rushed to Witbank because I didn’t want to miss him,” said Nkosi.
He said Nxasane was found sleeping and he was arrested on the spot.
Nkosi said their records show that Nxasane was out on parole after he was sentenced to 38 years imprisonment in 1994 for murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and robberies.
“On investigating, we realised Nxasane was released on parole in 2012.”
He said Nxasane was sentenced to 15 years and because of his previous conviction and violation of his parole, he will not be granted parole again.
“His parole was supposed to end in 2032 but because he violated the rules of his parole, he will not be considered for parole again. He must first serve his previous sentence until 2032, before he starts with the 15-year sentence,” said Nkosi.
Tsotsotso urged those who are out on parole not to go back to a life of crime.
“If you are given parole that does not mean that you are free. Parole rules will apply and should you violate those rules, you will go back to jail. Being given parole is like a second chance at life – stick to the rules and don’t break the law,” said Tsotsotso.
