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The Lady Frere Regional court sentenced Xolisile Xhayimpi (45), Abongile Ncinithwa (35) and Luyanda Mhlayimpi (35) on Thursday, April 4 for charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of stolen vehicle, firearms and ammunition, and Siyabulela Mjongile (35) has since passed on during the trial period.
According to Hawks Spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, on 14 September 2018 at about 07:50 security guards from Fidelity company were preparing money for the pension pay out in Lady Frere when they were accosted by four suspects at gunpoint. The pensioners were ordered by the suspects to lie down at gun-point and they did as such. The suspects overpowered the security guards and they fled with the pensioner’s undisclosed amount of money in the Cash Payment Solutions (CPS) Toyota bakkie.
"The culprits drove to their getaway vehicles a black BMW and a silver Toyota Runx with a CA registration number. Various units engaged on a hunt and later during the month arrested three (3) suspects. A black BWM vehicle was recovered, an R4 rifle, a revolver and cash were also recovered," said Mgolodela.
"All accused appeared before Lady Frere Magistrates’ court on several occasions and were remanded in custody.
"Later in October 2018, Mjongile the fourth accused, was ultimately arrested in an armed robbery in Butterworth with two other firearms in his possession. Investigation further linked him with the pension pay out robbery that took place in Lady Frere," she added.
Mgolodela further added, "Mjongile joined his co-accused at Lady Frere Magistrates’ court several time for formal bail application. His other three co-accused were successfully denied bail while Mjongile successfully appealed the granting of his bail. After numerous court appearances Xhayimpi, Ncinithwa and Mhlayimpi were convicted on Wednesday28 February 2024 hence their sentencing on Wednesday. April 3."
The sentencing went as follows:
- Accused 1: Xolisile Xhayimpi (45) was sentenced to undergo 15 years direct imprisonment,
- Accused 2: Abongile Ncinithwa (35) was sentenced to undergo 15 years direct imprisonment,
- Accused 3: Luyanda Mhlayimpi (35) was sentenced to undergo 25 years direct imprisonment,
- Accused 4: Siyabulela Mjongile (-35) has since passed on.
"The trio is then expected to spend a collective 55 year term sentence."
The Acting Provincial Head, Brigadier Venessa Shantelle Hastings welcomed the sentencing as being retributive enough to send a stern message to the would be perpetrators out there.
