On 30 April 2021, the Grahamstown High Court found the 43-year-old Siyabonga Augustine Mnunu and his accomplice 31-year-old Mgxabani Mangwana were found guilty.
This followed a series of incidents which eventually led to the apprehension and arrests of the accused.
On 1 November 2019, at about 05:45 the Postmaster of Adelaide Post Office was robbed at his house in Fort-Beaufort. He was left tied up by four adult males who demanded the Post Office’s keys in Adelaide. The accused then also left the complainant tied up and left with household items to the value of R2000.
Afterwards, the four accused also robbed the Adelaide Post Office where an amount of R94 000.00 which was taken from the safe by the accused.
All four accused then fled with a Volkswagen Jetta which was later picked up by Atlas security cameras en route to the direction of Gqeherha.
The vehicle was intercepted by members of the Port Elizabeth Flying Squad and forced off the road at Kinkelbos with four occupants inside the motor vehicle.
After shots were fired, the Flying Squad members then retaliated and fatally wounded one of the accused. The members also arrested two suspects on the scene, but one suspect managed to escape.
On the 30 April 2021 the sentence was given by the Grahamstown High Court as follow:
COUNT 3 Both Accused sentenced to 15 years imprisonment
COUNT 4 Both Accused sentenced to 15 years imprisonment
COUNT 5 Both Accused sentenced to 10 years imprisonment
COUNT 6 Both Accused sentenced to 10 years imprisonment
COUNT 7 Accused 1 sentenced to 25 years imprisonment
Accused 2 sentenced to life imprisonment
COUNT 8 Accused 2 sentenced to 15 years imprisonment
COUNT 9 Accused 2 sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.
Accused 1, the sentence to run concurrently and he will serve an effective term of 25 years imprisonment.
The Station Commander of Cradock Police Station Colonel Ruth Slater commended the Investigation Officer, Warrant Officer Piet Potgieter on the sentence handed down. She further commended the vigilance, dedication and perseverance exemplified by the Investigation Officer throughout the investigation process.
