The Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieut-Gen Semakaleng Manamela welcomed the hefty sentence handed down to Thulani Skhakhane (38), Banele Khanyile (300 and Mxolisi Duma (32) for various crimes committed in 2017.
They were was all sentenced to 43 years imprisonment on Thursday, April 21 by the Amersfoort Regional Court.
According to a media statement of Monday, April 25, the court heard how on August 17, 2017 the three, and a fourth suspect who is still at large, followed a man at Durban Central, who was going surfing, and stole his car keys, iPhone, and his watch, valued at R50 000.
They then drove off in his vehicle, a Honda Jazz and crossed to Mpumalanga.
The four broke into a house in eMalahleni (Witbank) on September 23 and stole a laptop, television set as well as jewellery.
They then proceeded to Ermelo where they also broke into a house, stole a television set, camera and a jewellery box.
The culprits then drove to a farm in Amersfoort on the same day.
They found the farm owner’s 87-year-old father, tied him with a rope and assaulted him.
The firearm safe, which had about nine firearms inside, as well as jewellery and other valuable items, were taken.
According to the press release, a vigilant farmer spotted the speeding vehicle and became suspicious as they were making their way out.
She drove after them and alerted other farmers, as well as police, for assistance.
When the four noticed they were being chased, the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The three were arrested thereafter and one managed to flee.
The court found all three guilty on all counts, including housebreaking, with the intention to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances (farm attack in Amersfoort), possession of a firearm without any markings in Amersfoort, possession of ammunition without a licence (in Amersfoort), theft of motor vehicle (at Durban Central), theft (in eMalahleni), and theft (in Ermelo).
Police urged anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect, to contact Const Cliff Ndaba on 079 891 5846 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
Information can also be sent via MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner has since applauded the team of detectives for their hard work and thorough investigation that led to this sentence.
