On 5 September 2017, Ntuzuma Regional Court convicted and sentenced Sanele Armstrong Mhlongo (21) to a total of 33 years’ imprisonment for trying to kill a police officer.
In August 2015, Mhlongo accosted an off duty police officer whilst he was inside his vehicle at Ezimangweni area, Inanda. He shot and injured him with a rifle, then he robbed him of his service firearm.
A case of attempted murder was opened at Inanda police station and the victim was taken to hospital for medical attention where he spent many months recuperating.
During an intensive police investigation, Mhlongo was arrested and charged for attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm since the victim’s firearm was recovered from him.
He was also linked to a house robbery case that had occurred earlier in the area. He was taken to court where he remained in custody throughout the trial. Mhlongo was sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder, 15 years for house robbery and three years for illegal possession of firearm.
“The determination by Inanda investigating team to solve the case is commended. The accused showed that he does not deserve to be within the community and had to be sent to jail for his horrendous acts. I also applaud the detectives for linking the criminal to other robberies and sending well-prepared dockets to court for successful prosecution,” said the KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa.
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