‘Most wanted’ robber in KZN jailed for 30 years

A RUTHLESS criminal from the KwaMashu men’s hostel, who was among KwaZuluNatal’s most wanted, has been jailed for 30 years.

On Friday, Mcebiseni Mbambo, 28, pleaded guilty at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, to two cases of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and was sentenced to 30 years for each robbery.

Senior state advocate Mahen Naidu told the court that Mbambo and two other awaiting trial suspects held up a Fidelity guard at the Pick n Pay in a BP fuel service station on Malandela Road, KwaMashu, in September 2016.

They entered the store and pointed guns at the store supervisor, insisting he hand over the cash from the safe.

They then fled with R142 000, which they split among themselves at their hideout in the KwaMashu hostel.

In January, the trio robbed a pension payout point at the Nyala Centre in KwaMashu.

They joined the queue and observed the Fidelity guard carrying the cash boxes into the centre. Mbambo and his friends robbed the guard at gunpoint, taking R40 000 in cash and his revolver.

Magistrate Vuyokazi Noncembu considered Mbambo’s plea and the fact that he had three children, aged 9, 6 and 3.

KZN Hawks detective warrant officers Deena Govender and Viresh Panday said they were pleased with the sentence.

At the Durban Regional Court on Thursday, Siboniso Ernest Magwaza, 30, and Bonginhlanhla Nzuza, 25, were imprisoned for 45 years for a robbery they committed in Sydenham in March 2015. They held up a business and customers on Dr RD Naidu (Stanley Copley) Drive.

The Durban Central Trio Task Team arrested the men in Ntuzuma and Newlands.

Meanwhile, police on the south coast have made a breakthrough in the murder of a former ward councillor, Khayelihle Mgcwaba, who was gunned down in his house in the Machunwini area of Umzimkhulu earlier this month.

The investigative team arrested the victim’s wife and two other suspects.