A strong message was sent to the public after two men were sentenced to a combined 30 years for aggravated robbery.
Godfrey Nhlapo (20) and Tumi Tsotetsi (19) were found guilty and sentenced in the Nigel Regional Court on April 12.
The pair was found guilty of robbing a 14-year-old boy of R100 in Bluegumview, Duduza, while he on his way to buy bread on July 3, last year.
The victim was with three of his friends and the robbery took place in broad daylight.
The young teen was choked from behind while his friends were threatened with a knife. His friends fled in fear.
Duduza SAPS reacted swiftly and managed to trace and arrest both perpetrators.
Det Sgt Veron Mofokeng investigated the case and ensured the required evidence was presented before the court for it to reach its decision.
On handing down judgment, the Nigel Regional Court presided over by Juan du Preez Voogt, stated that the court needed to send a strong message to society against this form of brutality as well as to protect the community from further harm.
Voogt stated that the court must ensure that a lesson is learned by the two, in line with the pillars of justice: retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation.
The two men were each sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment and were declared unfit to possess firearms.
