Hefty sentence for attempted murder and robbery

Lungelo Sithole from Beyers Park received a sentence of over 10 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances and was declared unfit to possess a firearm at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on July 7.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to both counts.

Sithole on April 24, robbed an e-hailing driver of his vehicle, cellphone, shoes, bank cards, driver’s license, cash and documents at gunpoint in the furtherance of a common purpose.

Zane de Klerk (32) from Reiger Park, the second accused in the court case, was found not guilty.

In a statement, Sithole said they saw the victim drop off passengers, acted as clients and asked him to drop them off in Reiger Park from Boksburg town.

“I sat in the front passenger seat and my friend in the back. On the way, we decided to rob the man. My friend shot at the man, hitting him in the stomach.

“My friend and I drove off with the vehicle. We intended to sell the vehicle and share the money we find in the car,” he added.

Sithole has a string of previous convictions, including possession of stolen property, fraud, house burglary with the intent to steal and theft.

The magistrate sentenced him to 12 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder and three years in prison for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentences will run concurrently.

Boksburg North SAPS station commander Colonel Mack Mngomezulu commended Sergeant Tshepo Matshaba for a job well done investigating the case.

“This must be a lesson to others thinking of committing a crime.”

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