Ixopo robber’s criminal past exposed
Department of Correctional Services officials are now receiving managment training to assist them in coping with the increasing stress of dealing with large volumes of prisoners. A warder at an East London Prison keeps a close eye on prisoners. 241006 Picture: Steve Lawrence Department of Correctional Services officials are now receiving managment training to assist them in coping with the increasing stress of dealing with large volumes of prisoners. A warder at an East London Prison keeps a close eye on prisoners. 241006 Picture: Steve Lawrence
Durban - One of five men found guilty for his part in the careful planning and execution of a cash-in-transit heist in Ixopo has a long list of past convictions dating back to when he was at school.
Sibusiso Ndaba, 32, who has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, was first convicted while still at school, of robbery, theft, possession of a firearm and assault, the Durban High Court heard on Friday.
Ndaba and his co-accused – Phumlani Kathide, 27, Christopher Mthembu, 32, Edward Mtambo, 39, and Nkosinathi Ndovela, 33 – were convicted, last week, on charges of theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, the unlawful possession of a firearm and the unlawful possession of ammunition.
The court had heard that in confessions to the police, Ndaba had been referred to as the mastermind behind the robbery, in which the men made off with about R603 000 in cash after holding up a G4S guard when he was delivering money to Capitec Bank ATMs in Ixopo on July 28, 2011.
The court had also heard how Ndaba had observed the G4S vehicle delivering money with minimal security and seen the opportunity for an easy robbery.
A day before the robbery an uMhlanga Rocks resident had been hijacked and his new white Mercedes-Benz sedan had been stolen.
The men used three vehicles – a panel van parked at a plantation nearby, a VW Velociti Golf and the Mercedes.
The Golf had driven around the city as a lookout for the men on the day of the robbery, the court had heard.
According to evidence given, the men returned to Ndaba’s house after the robbery to divide the loot.
All five testified and did not plead guilty to having played any role in the robbery.
Judge Daya Pillay, in her judgement, referred to Ndaba, a self-employed father of one, as a “dishonest witness”.
In sentencing, on Friday, she said Ndaba had shown no remorse. Judge Pillay sentenced Mtambo to an effective 20 years in prison; Kathide was sentenced to 15 years, Mthembu, 20 years imprisonment and Ndovela 15 years.
In sentencing Mtambo, the judge said his acknowledgement of guilt counted in his favour to some extent. None of the others had shown any remorse, she said.
The court heard that Mtambo, a taxi owner, had admitted to the crime and co-operated with police from the outset.
He told the court that although he had wanted to, he did not plead guilty because he was afraid of his co-accused.
Daily News