The Durban Magistrates’ Court has sentenced six men to various terms of imprisonment for a spate of business robberies at betting outlets in KwaZulu-Natal.
Business robberies
The six men, whose ages range from 25 to 32, were sentenced on Thursday after they were found guilty of robbing several betting outlets in 2019, in different parts of KZN.
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They are Sphamandla Njini Zuma (25), Thabiso Gumede (32), Mvuyiso Dondi (30), Maswenkosi Mazwe (27), Sifiso Mhlongo (23) and Serry Myboy Ngcobo (23).
Between March and September 2019, they robbed Hollywood Bets in Chatsworth, Marshall World of Sports in Pinetown and Amanzimtoti, Playa Bets in Umzinto, TAB in Pietermaritzburg and Kwa-Dukuza, and the Gold Circle in Umlazi.
Facial recognition analysis
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Kara, said the men also robbed several patrons and employees who were present at the time of the robberies.
The men made off with approximately R600 000 in total from these heists.
Kara said the men were traced after a facial recognition analysis was done on the CCTV footage from the stores.
“In court, regional court prosecutor Kuveshni Pillay led the testimonies of the complainants as well as the findings of the identity parades.
“The complainants testified on the trauma they experienced during the robberies. Pillay also led the evidence of a facial recognition expert,” she said in a statement.
Sentences
- Zuma was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for five counts of robbery and will serve an effective 30 years imprisonment.
- Gumede was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for 17 counts of robbery and will serve an effective 70 years imprisonment.
- Dondi was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for five counts of robbery and will serve an effective 30 years imprisonment.
- Mazwe was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for three counts of robbery and will serve an effective 15 years imprisonment.
- Mhlongo was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for 16 counts of robbery and will serve 60 years effectively.
- Ngcobo was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for six counts of robbery and will serve an effective sentence of 30 years.
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