JUSTICE finally caught up with four robbers nearly three years after a shootout with police in Alexandria.
Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender provided the background to the case. In the early hours of January 19 2014, members of the Alexandria SAPS received information of a vehicle that had been possibly hijacked at Paterson, which is a neighbouring station. The vehicle was travelling towards Alexandria and being followed by an off-duty police officer who was stationed at the Port Alfred Family and Child Services.
The vehicle, a Toyota Tazz, had five male occupants.
The local SAPS were on high alert. As the vehicle approached Alexandria, three constables who were on duty tried to stop the vehicle, when the occupants started to shoot at them. The police returned fire, injuring one. He was apprehended and placed under guard at hospital. Three other suspects were also arrested.
On Thursday December 8 the case was concluded at the Alexandria Regional Court, following an intense investigation and teamwork, by Constable Zoyisile Gxogxo of the Alexandria detectives and Warrant Officer Faanrè de Klerk of the Grahamstown Vehicle Identification Section.
All four accused, Mkhuseli Tyala, 33, Siyabonga Makhaza, 34, Mpumelelo Mensile, 29 and Ayanda Ntshona, 39, were found guilty on the following charges:
Count 1: robbery with aggravating circumstances, for which they were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment; count 2: attempted murder; count 3: possession of an unlicensed firearm; count 4: possession of ammunition.
They received an additonal 15 years imprisonment for counts 2-4, but the sentences will run concurrently.
Four hijackers and robbers get 15 years each
