Siyabonga Tshayela, Zimasa Diniso, Xolisa Mazizi and Zibuzele Booi appeared at the Butterworth High Court where they were sentenced life imprisonment with additional years on Friday, 12 February 2021.
In July 2013, security guards from Coin Security were delivering cash at mall in Butterworth when six armed men robbed them of R300,000. 00 Two service pistols and fired shots towards security guards. One guard was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.
All suspects were traced and arrested. They were remanded in custody throughout their trial until their conviction and sentencing save for Simthembile Mwahla escaped from court during the trial.
They were each sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a security guard, twenty years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for possession of unlicensed firearms and another five years imprisonment for possession of ammunition. They were also declared unfit to possess the firearm.
Their co-accused Edwin Lechoka is already serving his sentence after he pleaded guilty in 2016 and he was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment.
The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation applauded the investigation and prosecuting teams for outstanding display of collaborative skills in ensuring that these suspects are convicted. He also encouraged the teams to utilize all resources available to them to ensure that the perpetrators such crimes are brought to book.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Head for Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation commended the members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation for working tirelessly to ensure that the perpetrators are put behind bars for life.
