KWAZULU-NATAL – On Wednesday 8 March 2023, Ngwelezane Regional Court convicted and sentenced two accused for armed robbery which happened at Richards Bay. On 20 December 2020, a Tactical Response Team member who was off duty was accosted by the accused at gunpoint. They fired shots at him and robbed him of his service pistol. The accused fled the scene with the victim’s motor vehicle.
Police were alerted and a high speed chase ensued. The accused’s vehicle lost control and capsized on R66 near Melmoth. Musawenkosi Mazibuko (25) and Sphamandla Mthimkhulu (31) were arrested. They were found in possession of unlicensed firearm and the victim’s service pistol was recovered.
They appeared in court and their bail application was successfully opposed. Mazibuko was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and Mthimkhulu was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. Both accused were summoned to appear in the same court for further sentencing on charges of attempted murder and carjacking.
They are expected to appear on 29 March 2023.