Robbers sentenced two years after La Lucia robbery
Dumisane Sandile Hlophe, Lungani Wesley Maphumulo and Thobani Ginger Kheswa were sentenced to a combined 42 years behind bars two years after robbing a house in La Lucia.
NEARLY two years after a La Lucia resident was robbed in his house, the three men behind the attack have been sentenced to a combined 42 years behind bars.
This week the Verulam Regional Court convicted and sentenced Dumisane Sandile Hlophe (35) and Lungani Wesley Maphumulo (45) to 15 years behind bars, while Thobani Ginger Kheswa (25) was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the house robbery that rocked the quiet suburb. They were convicted after the court heard how they attacked an elderly man at his house in 2012.
“On 24 February 2012 at approximately 9pm the 89-year-old victim was at his La Lucia home when he was approached by three men. He was threatened with a knife and his property including a plasma TV, radio, DVD player and a white Ford Tracer were taken before the suspects fled the scene. A case of house robbery was registered at Durban North police station for further investigation,” said provincial communication officer, Col Jay Naicker.
The docket was taken over by the Durban Central Trio Crime Unit and through intensive investigation, the members traced and arrested the accused. They were charged with house robbery and taken to court. They made several appearances in the Verulam Regional Court and were denied bail. The accused remained in custody until they were convicted and sentenced.
The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, said she’s delighted with the sentence handed down by the court. She also commended the outstanding work of the Durban Central Trio Crime Unit which led to the arrest of the perpetrators who attacked a vulnerable defenceless pensioner.
“This will serve as a strong warning to other culprits who are intending to commit such crimes in our province,” she said.
