Weekly court wrap
JOBURG – Here are some of the cases heard in our local courts this week.
13 years for robbery
A 32-year-old man was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court. Sonnyboy Ndlovu was found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances. In February 2007, Ndlovu was part of a gang who robbed an FNB branch in Johannesburg. During the robbery, three FNB employees were assaulted. An amount of R46 000 was also taken during the robbery.
After being on the run for almost nine years, Ndlovu was arrested in June 2016, following an intense investigation by the police. He has been in custody since his arrest. The court denied him bail as he was in the country illegally.
15 years for house robbery
A 30-year-old man was found guilty of house robbery and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court. The court also declared the convicted robber unfit to possess a firearm.
A spokesperson for the Johannesburg central police, Captain Xoli Mbele said the robbery occurred on 9 March 2017 at about 8.30am. “A 32-year-old woman was busy cleaning her yard when she was confronted by two suspects. One of them pointed a firearm at her while his accomplice stabbed her in the hand with a knife,” Mbele explained.
The police spokesperson said as the victim screamed for help, they forcefully dragged her into the house.
Fortunately for the woman, a neighbour heard the screaming and immediately called the police who responded quickly.
“One suspect managed to flee the scene while his accomplice was apprehended. He was found on top of the house where the robbery happened,” Mbele said. He also mentioned that police recovered a firearm, a knife used to stab the victim and a TV that was stolen from the victim’s home.
Defence in the k-word case wants case withdrawn
The defence in the case against businessman Peter-Paul Ngwenya, accused of calling his longtime friend a Qwa-Qwa k*****, believes the state’s case is weak.
On 28 June, Ngwenya appeared before Magistrate Pravina Rugoonandan at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court, where the defence made an application to have charges withdrawn against the accused.
Ngwenya is charged with two counts of contravening a court order that his longtime friends and business associates, Fani Titi and Aqueel Patel had obtained against him. Ngwenya also faces a further charge of crimen injuria after he allegedly called Titi a Qwa-Qwa k*****.
Ngwenya’s counsel, Advocate Benny Buthelezi told the court his client didn’t contravene the protection order. On the charge of crimen injuria, Buthelezi said he failed to understand how his client was prosecuted for this charge as there was no complainant on the matter. He said Titi, didn’t lay a criminal case against the accused. “The charge of crimen injuria can’t emanate from feelings of the prosecutor.”
In response, State Prosecutor, Yusuf Baba said the National Prosecuting Authority Act empowers the state to pursue matters on behalf of complainants. “The state is duty bound to protect the rights of individuals. The final prerogative lies with the state,” Baba said.
The case has been remanded to 5 July for judgement on the application.
