Carlyle kidnappers get 135 years
Three men behind the brutal kidnap and assault of Durban North resident, Dorothy Carlyle, receive 135-year sentence.
THERE was a sense of closure for Durban North resident, Dorothy Carlyle last week, as the armed men who kidnapped, assaulted and left her for dead in the boot of a car almost a year ago, were sentenced to 135 years collectively. Speaking to Northglen News, Carlyle said she was pleased with the outcome, but also felt relief that they (the men) would now be unable to harm anyone else.
Despite arguments made by the defense that the men were first time offenders, Durban regional magistrate, Anand Maharaj, said Sthembiso Ntombela (45 years), Lindokuhle Dlamini (30 years) and Smiso Ximba (60 years), had shown no remorse for their offences. The men who are in their 20s were charged with robbing, kidnapping and attempting to rape Carlyle.
Two girls, both minors, were originally charged with the crimes, but these were withdrawn when they agreed to testify as witnesses. Carlyle said she found it difficult giving testimony. “It’s something I’d tried to put out of my mind, you don’t want to think about it,” she said.
Recounting her terrifying ordeal, Carlyle said her captors had played mind games with her while she was tied up in the boot of her car. “When I was rescued in KwaMashu, I heard gunfire but I didn’t believe it. I thought the men were playing mind games with me. When I was in the boot of the car, there was a song with police sirens remixed into it and they turned it up to make me think I was being rescued. It was emotional torture,” she said.
While the estate agent lay in the boot, her captors took her to an ATM machine in Newlands East where they withdraw R2 000 before taking her to KwaMashu. The hijackers had exhausted Carlyle’s daily ATM withdrawal limit and it’s believed they were trying to keep her so they could withdraw cash again the next day.
Both Carlyle and her daughter, Brooke, praised the dedication of everyone involved in her rescue, especially Durban North SAPS constable Zanele Nene and Marshall Security’s Tyron Powell.
“It’s thanks to people like Nene that all three of the men were prosecuted. She showed immense bravery even in the face of death threats by the men. The sentence fits the crime and I’m just glad it’s all over,” she said.
Tyron Powell from Marshall Security, who was part of the rescue operation said he was blown away by the response during the search for Carlyle. “SAPS, security companies, neighbourhood watches, Netcare, Netstar and Crisis Medical members were all involved in the search. When we started the search, we visited the ATM’s where money was withdrawn and tried to secure CCTV footage of the suspects,” he said.
Powell added he had received a call from one of his informants, who spotted the stolen vehicle. “As the convoy of vehicles arrived in KwaMashu, I used my iPad to get a Google street view to make sure we covered the exit points so the suspects wouldn’t get away. There were about 20 cars parked back-to-back and as we surrounded the shebeen and approached from two directions, people began scattering. We eventually detained the suspects,” he said. Powell said he was extremely pleased the men were given a stiff sentence.
Durban North SAPS spokesman, Lt Raymond Deokaran, concurred with Powell and also praised constable Nene. “The station management is extremely proud of her and especially with the sentences handed down to the men. She showed tremendous courage and we congratulate her,” he said.
