Life imprisonment for 6 robbers who shot security guard
SIX armed robbers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, attempted cash-in-transit heist, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
The robbers were sentenced on Monday by the Scottburgh High Court.
Hawks Kwazulu-natal spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said their sentencing is in relation to an incident on August 1, 2019, where security guards were delivering cash to the pension pay point in Hibberdene when accosted by the accused.
The accused fired shots towards the security guard, and he died at the scene. The driver of the cash van sped off towards the N2, and the accused gave chase while shooting at the cash van. They rammed the cash van until it lost control. The accused failed to get cash, and fled empty-handed.
Mhlongo said a case of murder, attempted murder and attempted cash in transit heist was reported at Southport police station, and the case docket was allocated to Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation.
Mhlongo said members followed up on information and recovered the accused’s getaway vehicle in the sugar cane fields. Police pursued information until they cornered the accused in the Kwamadlala area.
“The six accused, Thulani Cwele, 33, Mpumelelo Ntshangase, 47, Bongani Madlala, 50, Zenzele Gumede, 40, Bheki Ndlovu, 45, and Zwanani Cele, 34, were arrested. During the arrest, police found one AK-47 with 15 live rounds of ammunition, one R4 rifle with 17 live rounds of ammunition and one 9mm pistol with 12 live rounds of ammunition,” he said.
“Their bail application was successfully opposed until they were found guilty. Each accused was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for attempted robbery, five years imprisonment for three counts of attempted murder, 15 years imprisonment for three counts of possession of unlicensed firearms, and three years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition. Their sentences will run concurrently.”