Creche Robber Sentenced To 12 Years Imprisonment

The New Brighton Regional Court has sentenced Lukhanyo Ndeya (22) to twelve years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances of a daycare centre. The court declared him unfit to possess a firearm. On 17 September 2021, Ndeya entered the daycare premises, with his face uncovered. He pretended as if he was looking for a minor child, but once inside, he threatened the owner of the centre with a knife, demanding money and cell phones. 

He forced the owner to the bedroom, where he took cash and perfumes. When the victim’s husband came out, he was confronted by two of Ndeya’s accomplices, whose faces were covered with balaclavas. One of them was armed with a firearm.  They demanded a laptop computer, and the owner pleaded with the robbers not to go to a section of their home, where the children were and went with one of them inside, to avoid creating panic in the children.  She handed over the computer and the robbers left.

There was no arrest made by the police until Ndeya was apprehended during a cash-in-transit robbery.  The victim and her husband identified him in a police photo album.  During the trial, his version was that the victims were able to identify him, only because he used to buy fruit at their house.  Under cross-examination by prosecutor Tracy Brown, he gave a different version, that he used to visit his friend who stayed in their neighbourhood. The court found his story as concocted lies and found him guilty as charged.

The Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecution, Barry Madolo, commended the prosecutor and the investigating team for ensuring that justice is served for the victims of crime.   

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division

Tel: 0475012630

Cell: 073 555 9292

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za