Mbombela – A Mozambican farm attacker found guilty on 23 counts of armed robbery committed seven years ago was sentenced on Tuesday to 104 years in prison by the Nelspruit Regional Court and would never qualify for parole.
Magistrate Andre Geldenhuys said Lorenzo Bedome Gideon Mazunze, 33, had not acted alone.
“In all the cases firearms and other weapons were used. All evidence pointed out you were the one who produced a firearm and fired the shots.”
Malalane farmer Andre van Rooyen, was hacked with an axe in the safety of his own home.
“You then shot him in his stomach, injuring him. He was not seriously injured,” he said.
In Barberton, Mazunze shot at farmer’s wife, Gloria Morgan, during an armed robbery.
“The bullet missed Morgan by luck,” he said.
He said Mazunze and his accomplices mostly targeted guest houses and farms houses, especially in Malalane.
“At these places, you fired shots at women and children, including sick people. You had no regard for human life,” he said.
Geldenhuys said all the accused wanted were valuables such as jewellery and cash.
On two farms he took workers’ wages, R23 000 and R200 000 in cash.
“You even fired a shot at a doctor and his wife when robbing them. Luckily the bullet missed him. You not only attacked white farmers, but also other races who worked to earn a living at farms,” he said.
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