John Punu Shekeshe (40) and Kabelo Ramakhine Mamahlodi (25) were respectively sentenced to 25 and 30 years in jail for aggravated robbery and attempted murder on February 23 in Heidelberg Regional Court.
The incident happened in January 2015 when the two accused picked up a 23-year-old woman and her 7-year-old nephew who were looking for a lift from Shalimar Ridge to Balfour. One of the men produced a firearm and robbed the woman of cash, cell phone, handbag and various personal belongings.
Flying Squad members noticed the vehicle and started pursuing it. The accused then threw the two from the moving car and sped away from the police vehicle. Police pursued and apprehended them. They managed to find the woman with severe injuries next to the road. They took her to hospital, but they could not find the boy. He was only found the next day while walking next to the road and bleeding from his head.
Through thorough investigation by Detective Sergeant Happy Kubheka and determination from the state prosecutor Mr Richard Mathabela, the accused were found quilty by Mr Pieter du Plessis (magistrate) on one count of aggravated robbery and two counts of attempted murder.
Shekeshe was out on bail when the incident happened and Mr Du Plessis sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment for aggravated robbery and 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder. Mamahlodi (first-time offender) received 15 years imprisonment for aggravated robbery and 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder. The sentences will run concurrently.
