Sifiso George has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars for an armed robbery in Hyde Park last year.
The incident took place in February where armed suspects forced their way into two units at complex. Police said the suspects tied up a young couple who had been sleeping at the time and took several valuable items.
In another unit, the suspects held up an elderly woman who had also been sleeping. They allegedly threatened her at gunpoint and one suspects hit the woman on the forehead. Police said the suspects then loaded their loot, with an estimated value of R250 000, in the couple’s two vehicles.
Parkview police spokesperson, Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha said the suspects then experienced difficulty in starting the vehicles and security at the complex was alerted. “This resulted in the suspects panicking and they ran in different directions, leaving behind their loot,” he said.
A description of the suspects was immediately circulated to the police, and constables Thomas Makwala and Khumbulani Tshabalala apprehended George (25) in the vicinity of the incident. “He was subsequently charged with house robbery and assault with grievous bodily harm [for] the assault on the elderly victim,” said Ramovha.
On 30 July, George was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment at Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court for the house robbery, and five years for the assault. The two sentences will run concurrently which means an effective 15 years behind bars.
Ramovha praised investigating officer, Warrant Officer Kenneth Mabasa for the dedication he brought to the case.
