FOUR DAYS OF TERROR END WITH 10-YEAR IMPRISONMENT
08 DECEMBER 2025
FOUR DAYS OF TERROR END WITH 10-YEAR IMPRISONMENT
Bergsig, Northern Cape – Royal Luthando Witbooi (20) has been convicted and sentenced to an effective 10 years’ direct imprisonment by the Springbok Regional Court following a plea and sentence agreement between the State and the accused.
Witbooi was convicted on five charges: two counts of robbery, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and one count of resisting arrest. These charges stem from a violent four-day crime spree between 08 and 11 May 2024 in the Bergsig area, during which the accused targeted vulnerable members of the community, including a 10-year-old child and a 69-year-old pensioner.
The facts presented to the court revealed a sustained pattern of violence:08 May 2024: Witbooi assaulted and robbed an adult complainant by striking him with a rock and stealing his property,9 May 2024: He kicked a 10-year-old boy in the stomach and stole a cellphone entrusted to the child by his grandmother,10 May 2024: He attacked a 69-year-old pensioner with stones, causing open head wounds and a fractured arm, before robbing him of his cellphone and other belongings,11 May 2024: Witbooi, accompanied by an accomplice, assaulted another complainant by kicking and striking him with stones before robbing him of cash. When SAPS officers attempted to arrest him, Witbooi violently resisted, charging at a police officer while armed with a panga and striking the officer with the side of the blade before being subdued. Throughout the proceedings, the accused acknowledged that his actions were unlawful and expressed remorse.
In sentencing, the court imposed 03 years’ imprisonment for each robbery count,10 years’ imprisonment for each robbery with aggravating circumstances count, and 12 months’ imprisonment for resisting arrest. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently, resulting in an effective 10-year sentence. The court found substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences, including Witbooi’s youth, impulsiveness, and status as a first-time offender. The NPA commends Regional Court Prosecutor Basil Kock and the dedicated SAPS investigating team for their diligent work. This sentence affirms that violent crime, particularly against the vulnerable, will not be tolerated.
The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting communities and ensuring offenders are held accountable. Each successful conviction reflects months or years of coordinated, meticulous investigative and prosecutorial work and represents hundreds of similar cases finalised daily to uphold justice.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539