The Pietermaritzburg Regional court successfully convicted and sentenced Mthobisi Thezela (29) to 30 years imprisonment for armed robbery, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm.
The accused was sentenced on 26 June 2018. This follows an incident which took place at Alexandra Park on 4 November 2017 where the victim (32) was sitting in his vehicle with his girlfriend and where approached by two unknown suspects who demanded cash and their cellphones. One suspect pulled the vehicle keys from ignition and threw them away while removing the wallet with cash and three cell phones.
The other suspect allegedly threatened to kill them with a firearm should they moved. Soon after the incident, both suspects fled the scene on foot. While the suspects were running away, one of the suspects was wounded on the leg after an exchange of gunfire between them and the victim. Police were immediately alerted and one suspect (29) was found and arrested in the bushes with the help of K9 unit.
An unlicensed 9mm pistol together with a stolen cellphone were also recovered.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
