NELSPRUIT- The police in Mpumalanga welcome sentences which were meted against two robbers. The accused Smangaliso Mathebula 25 years old and 27 year old Edwin Zitha’s reign of terror ended on 04 November 2019, when the Witbank Magistrates Court did not hesitate to sentence them to fifteen years as well as eight years respectively. The court heard that on 10 September 2015, at approximately 10:45, a 28-year-old female victim was approached by two male perpetrators while waiting at a hiking spot on the Witbank/Ogies road.

One of the perpetrators pointed her with a knife and demanded cash as well as a cell phone from her.

The victim surrendered both her cellphone and cash to the two men thereafter screamed for help. The two men fled the scene into the bushes nearby.

Meanwhile police vehicles from Witbank station arrived at the scene and immediately began searching for the perpetrators in the bushes. The dedicated members managed to arrest the two robbers and subsequently recovered the robbed items.

Both men were found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Smangiso Mathebula was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment whereas Edwin Zitha was sentenced to eight years. Both suspects were declared in terms of Section 103(1) Act 60/2000, unfit to possess firearms.

The police in Mpumalanga led by Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, sends a stern warning to other criminals that are still at large, that the net is soon closing-in on them. General Zuma, has also applauded the dedicated Criminal Justice System for ensuring that the robbers are convicted. General Zuma has further reiterated the SAPS’s commitment to making sure that the members of the community are and feel safe. He encouraged the public to continue reporting any criminal activity that they witness so that police can effectively act on it.

Source: South African Police Service