Vosloorus armed robber arrested
The charges against the second suspect were withdrawn because the community was unable to link him to the crime.
Armed robber Sandile Mothei (35) from Dindela Section, Vosloorus has been sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for robbing two foreign nationals at gunpoint at Matlala Street Vosloorus, on August 12, 2019.
Mothei was convicted by the Vosloorus Magistrate Court, on September 7.
According to the investigating detective, Sergeant Nhlanhla Chabalala from Vosloorus SAPS, two Zimbabweans reported that they were robbed at Matlala Street while returning from work.
“They were approached by two men. One pointed a 9mm firearm at them and robbed them of three cellphones valued between R5 000 and R6 000 and their wallet with money,”Chabalala explained.
“One of the victims screamed as the robbers tried to flee the scene. Community members chased after the suspect and managed to capture Mothei, who was found in the position of a white cellphone with a cracked screen as described by the complainant,” he continued.
“The suspect was handed over to police on August 13, 2019. The other suspect was also apprehended and handed over to the police. The firearm was seized and police found that it was unlicensed, but there was no link to other crimes.”
He said the court granted bail to both men, However, Mothei skipped his bail hearing and never returned to court again.
“A warrant of arrest was issued for him and police traced him for almost two years until he was rearrested on May 20, 2022,” he added.
Chabalala explained that charges against the second suspect were withdrawn because the community was unable to link him with the crime.
“They recognised Mothei because he lived on the same street. The case went on trial where the court found him guilty and sentenced him to 15 years.”
Challenges
Chabalala said the case was not necessarily challenging, excluding the fact that the accused skipped his bail hearing and started evading court.
“He was no longer living at home but he was around Vosloorus. We tasked informers to get information and he was rearrested through the communities’ assistance.”
He said he is pleased with the conviction because he was not expecting such a long term.
“The arm of the law is long, It can be slow but in the end, it changes people’s perceptions. People that did not believe in the justice system can see the work of the police department.”
