Two men accused of attempted murder and robbery almost two years ago, have been sentenced to jail.
The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court found the two suspects guilty and sentenced them to 27 years each – 17 years each for robbery with aggravating circumstances, as well as 10 years each for attempted murder.
According to Parktown Police Station spokesperson Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha, the accused allegedly arrived unannounced at a property in Parktown, Napier Road on 18 November 2013.
Ramovha explained that they were in the company of two other accomplices.
“They then gained access into the property under the guise that they were there to finish outstanding electrical work. The domestic worker opened the gate for them after she recognised Gibson, who had worked on electrical-related work in the house the previous week,” explained Ramovha.
He added that the group then produced firearms pointed and threatened the domestic worker, the gardener as well as a female visitor who was in the lounge at the time.
“They tied the victims up using cable ties, started ransacking the house and while they were still busy, the owner (a medical doctor) of the property’s vehicle pulled in. She was then also approached and pointed with a firearm and made to join the rest of the victims. At this stage the suspects started loading their loot which included TVs, laptops and various other valuables into the victim’s vehicle,” said Ramovha.
He also said when the suspects were done, one of the accused then took a juice bottle from the fridge and put a substance – which was later established to be Rat-X (poison) – in the juice. “The victims were then bizarrely forced to drink it, before they were bundled into the bedroom and locked up there. The suspects left, taking the house owner’s vehicle with them. The victims managed to free themselves and summoned for help.”
However, the investigation led by Constable Lawrence Makhudu from Parkview Police Station resulted in the recovery of the stolen vehicle on the same day.
“The accused were arrested at Olivenhoutbosch near Diepsloot still in possession of some of the stolen items, ” Ramovha concluded.
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