Sally Baikie, a Chartwell resident and victim of crime, applauded the Douglasdale police for their outstanding detective work after three criminals were sentenced to life behind bars.
Takalani Mphepu, Irvin Mkhabela and Maxwell Mpofu were sentenced to eight terms of life imprisonment for a number of charges ranging from rape to attempted murder, at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court.
Warrant Officer Balan Muthan, head of communications for the Douglasdale Police Station, said their sentencing came after five years of detective work from Douglasdale police detectives. Detective Constable Sithembiso Mthembu and the late Detective Constable Thabo Selekedi continuously followed up on every lead that was sent in their direction to ensure that the perpetrators who were responsible for terrorising the community in 2011, were sent to prison.
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Mthembu confirmed that the men were linked to four cases of robbery, housebreaking, rape, possession of a toy gun, possession of an illegal firearm and attempted murder in the Douglasdale area.
Baikie said she and her husband were woken up at 2am on 4 May 2011 by the three men who were armed and who she believed gained entry through their bedroom window.
Baikie said, “They stabbed my husband five times in the chest and left him for dead. The men then beat me up very violently with a hammer and the butt of a pistol.”
The perpetrators then ransacked the house, stealing jewellery, artwork, money from the safe and furniture.
Baikie and her husband were rushed to Fourways Life Hospital where they were both admitted into ICU for three days.
“I would really like to commend the Douglasdale Police Station who were here within 20 minutes,” Baikie said.
According to her, the Douglasdale police were involved with the case from the beginning and kept in contact with the Baikie family every step of the way,
“During the course of the investigation Thabo Selekedi, along with his partner Sithembiso Mthembu, maintained constant contact with us as well as the State prosecutor. They were absolute heroes and after five years the perpetrators have been sentenced.”
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