Three men were found guilty of armed robbery and attempted murder by the Ermelo Regional Court on Friday 30 September and sentenced to jail terms ranging from 15 to 20 years.
Further charges included possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Police spokesman for Davel Const SM Sibeko said Sello Semakeleng (32) was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for his part in the robbery, while Thulani Chasinga (32) and Thulani Nakane (30) each face 15 years in jail.
The conviction and sentencing arose from an incident in which the owner and staff of the Davel Supermarket were held at gunpoint and tied up by three armed men at closing time on 10 August 2013. Shots were fired and the store owner was injured by flying glass.
An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
Investigations by the investigating officer, Det Const S.J. Ndlovu, led to the arrest one of the suspects in Davel which in turn resulted in the two other suspects being tracked down and arrested in Johannesburg and Newcastle respectively.
Const Sibeko welcomed the heavy sentences and said it would serve as a strong message to criminals that they will be brought to justice and added that the police, irrespective of where they are stationed, will do everything in their power to ensure that law and order is maintained.
