Bongani Edwin Mkwanazi (52), Sithembiso Mthembu (44) and Tshepo Tshebeko (38) were convicted at the Stilfontein Magistrates’ court on Thursday for escaping from lawful custody.
In September 2019, five accused escaped from Klerksdorp Magistrates’ court where they were on trial for an incident where they had allegedly robbed a security vehicle transporting diamond gravel.
They were facing charges ranging from armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition and possession of stolen vehicles. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team traced the suspects and three were rearrested in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Mkwanazi was sentenced to three (3) years direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm. While Mthembu and Tshebeko were each sentenced to five (5) years direct imprisonment and also both declared unfit to possess firearms.
Meanwhile, the original case against the accused will be placed on the court roll soon.
