Durban – The only suspect that was apprehended in the eManzimtoti post office armed robbery of 2021 while his accomplices fled and another suspect was shot dead was recently handed a 20-year prison sentence for robbing a post office.
Over the weekend, ET Rapid Response managing director Tony Lokker reported back that Sage Khowa, 38, was handed a 20-year prison sentence for the January 2021 armed robbery of the eManzimtoti post office.
“Our tactical response team made the arrest after a long chase and fire-fight with the suspects who robbed the post office,” Lokker said.
“During the shootout, one other suspect was fatally wounded.
“Good work by the investigation team and justice department in order to secure this sentencing.”
Lokker said that at about 10am on January 26, 2021, a call came via the Community Crime Prevention Organisation network of an armed robbery at eManzimtoti post office.
He said all ground units were mobilised immediately.
“Our tactical response team (TRT) received information from an off-duty policeman who spotted the suspects’ escape route,” Lokker said.
He said that their TRT spotted a vehicle fitting the description given along the R603.
“Once he got behind the vehicle, the suspects opened fire on our members. A high-speed chase then ensued. Our team came under heavy gunfire but retaliated at high speed,” Lokker said.
“The suspects left the main road onto a rural dirt road. At this point all the suspects at the back alighted from the back of the bakkie, still shooting at our team. Our TRT vehicle sustained mechanical failure as a result. One suspect was fatally wounded and another was arrested. Four other suspects escaped into the valley into dense bush.”
Lokker said a lengthy search, involving many members, from SAPS, metro police and private security, yielded no results.
He said that the vehicle also remained at large.
“An undisclosed amount of money was also recovered,” Lokker added.
Daily News