CIT robber sentenced to 15 years

The convicted robber was linked to the crime via DNA and other evidence.

CAPE TOWN, June 4 (ANA) – A cash-in-transit robber has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment by the Khayelitsha Priority Court.

According to a statement released by Western Cape spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Zinzi Hani, on Friday, Sivuyile Mpemnyama, 38, was sentenced on Thursday for his involvement in a cash-in-transit heist on August 27, 2018.

She said Mpemnyama was part of a group of armed suspects who robbed crew members from the Qiniseka Security Company in Vredenburg.

The suspects threatened the guards with firearms before fleeing the scene with an orange canvas bag that contained more than R89,000 (US$6,514).

Hani said the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team was on the case and swiftly linked Mpemnyama to the crime through DNA.

He was arrested on the same day in an informal settlement.

Hani said an orange canvas money bag was recovered close to where Mpemnyama was hiding in different clothing.

The cellphone evidence brought before the court also proved that Mpemnyama had indeed been observing the financial institution.

“The team ensured that the accused remained in custody until he was ultimately convicted and sentenced. The court convicted Mpemnyama on three counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances, illegal possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition,” Hani said.

Mpemnyama was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Provincial acting head of the Hawks, Brigadier Hoys, praised the investigating team for their sterling efforts in bringing the perpetrator to book.

In a separate incident, the Hawks busted a makeshift hydroponic cannabis laboratory in Rocklands in Mitchells Plain.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher