Hotel robber behind bars
A 35-year-old robber was handed a hefty sentence after being found guilty for his involvement in an armed robbery at a prestigious Somerset West hotel nearly five years ago.
Thebile Kutta was convicted of business robbery and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment following the incident at a spa and hotel on Wednesday 23 December 2015.
According to Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for Somerset West police, the accused was among five suspects who targeted the business located on Lourensford Road at 01:15. The robbers, wielding firearms, pounced on two staff members at reception. The employees’ hands and feet were bound with cable ties before being robbed of their cellphones and wallets.
Jantjies said the suspects, one of whom was dressed as a paramedic, fled the scene in a white Toyota Verso. The getaway vehicle was later discovered abandoned in Lwandle and an undisclosed amount of money found inside was confiscated.
Jantjies said the then 31-year-old
Kutta was positively linked to the case through his fingerprints found at the scene, and he was arrested on 16 January 2016. He remained in custody until his sentencing. The other suspects couldn’t be linked to the incident.
Somerset West police station commander Colonel Jacolize Fleischmann welcomed the sentencing and hopes this would deter others from committing serious crimes in future. She commended Detective Sergeant David Stimela for the great work.