Repeat offender gets 15 years for Bluff theft at knifepoint
The other thief was not found.
A REPEAT offender has received 15 years’ imprisonment for his latest armed robbery of just R10 and a cellphone, which he committed in June 2017.
A 30-year-old woman was walking along Marine Drive when she became suspicious of two men following her.
READ: Shots fired as Bluff jewellery store robbed
When the pedestrian reached Bluff Road, she heard loud footsteps behind her and the two men suddenly appeared alongside her. “A yellow knife was produced by one of the men. They demanded cash from her as well as her mobile device. On informing them she did not have money, her handbag was cut from her shoulder and she was forcefully pushed to the ground,” said Brighton Beach SAPS spokesman, Capt Louise Le Roux. The traumatised woman screamed for help and chased the two men.
Bystanders came to her assistance, joining in the foot pursuit of the men.
Brighton Beach SAPS visible policing member Constable Tholozani Malevu was on patrol when he came across the people chasing the men. The police officer got out of his vehicle and pursued the men on foot when they ran into the bushy area on the corners of Edwin Swales Drive and Tara Road. “The suspect who had forcibly removed the woman’s handbag was chased through the bushes and overpowered by Constable Tholozani Malevue and arrested,” added Capt Le Roux.
The other thief was not found.
The bag was returned to the woman with its contents intact.
Brighton Beach lead detective Warrant Officer Marius van der Looy’s thorough investigation established that the accused, Khathala Bongani (37) intentionally misled the court by failing to disclose his previous convictions when he applied for bail. These included housebreaking committed in Lusikisiki and Montclair, robbery committed in Lusikisiki and a drug-related arrest committed in Montclair. In all these cases, he had used various aliases, thus providing false personal information to the police.
READ: Bluff armed robbers steal more than R20000 in weekend looting spree
On 25 April, Khathala Bongani was sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment. Brighton Beach SAPS management acknowledged the response of bystanders who assisted the victim and the speed with which Cst Tholozani Malevue pursued, overpowered and arrested the perpetrator. W/O Van Der Looy was commended for his thorough investigation, which resulted in a stern conviction being imposed on the accused.
“Khathala Bongani preyed on the vulnerability of the victim, and used force on her. He also lied to the court about his previous convictions. The stern sentence imposed on the accused is appropriate for the crime”, said Van Der Looy.
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