Sentence handed down for farm attackers

Durban - Four men and a woman have been sentenced to a total of 225 years imprisonment in the Pongola Regional Court. The gang was wanted for a spate of robberies and rapes in Pongola and Magudu in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Captain Nqobile Gwala, police spokesperson, said a specialised task team was set up to investigate and track down the gang.

“The investigating team received an intelligence about the same group who were planning to attack another farm and they proceeded to the place where they found them hiding in the bushes. Other criminals fled the scene whereas two of them including a female criminal were apprehended with rifles in their possession,” she said.

Wandile Gabriel Dlamini (25) was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 70 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, Mlungisi Thabathu Mathenjwa (21) and Phumlani Sotsha Mdluli (28) were each sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 45 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Ntokozo Prince Mthethwa (23) sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, 30 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and 15 years for possession of firearm and ammunition. The fifth accused, Khethiwe Gugu Gumbi (34) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for illegal possession of a rifle.

Major General Bheki Langa, Acting KZN Provincial Commissioner, commended the task team, adding, “We are thrilled that these criminals were handed befitting sentences for their horrendous acts”.

Daily News