Jewellery robbers jailed for 13 years

THE five men accused of stealing more than R2 million worth of jewellery from a store in the Phoenix Plaza Shopping Centre have each been sentenced to an effective 13 years’ imprisonment.

Siyanda Mthethwa, 30, Siyanda Blose, 35, Philani Ngwane, 27, Mbongeni Mlotshwa, 26, and Siboniso Ndlovu, 24, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last Friday.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the spokesperson for the NPA in KZN, said that in February 2018 the men robbed Mayuri Jewellers.

“They also robbed two staff members of their belongings and fled with approximately R2m worth of jewellery.

“They were spotted by an off-duty policeman who pursued them.

“Soon other police officers joined the chase and the suspects were arrested with the jewellery still in their possession.”

She said that in court State advocate Rakesh Singh led the testimonies of the SAPS members who effected the arrest as well as the staff who were on duty in the store during the robbery.

“Advocate Singh also led CCTV footage, DNA evidence from the vehicle and cellphone evidence showing that all the men were in the shopping centre at the time of the robbery.

“In sentencing them, the court took into consideration that they had been in custody since their arrest, and thus deviated from the minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.”

She said each of them was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for robbing the store, and six years’ imprisonment for each of the two counts of robbery where they robbed the employees.

“The court ruled that the sentences run concurrently resulting in the effective 13 years’ imprisonment.

“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the finalisation of this matter. Business robberies are impacting the economy and we hope this successful prosecution has a deterrent effect.

“Well done to the prosecution and investigation teams.”