DUO SENTENCED FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND MURDER IN KWANOBUHLE GQEBERHA 

21 August 2025

DUO SENTENCED FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND MURDER IN KWANOBUHLE GQEBERHA 

The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in Gqeberha, has sentenced Ntlantle Jawa (32) and Siphosethu Level (26) for a violent robbery spree that claimed a life in KwaNobuhle, Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) on 29 July 2023. The court sentenced each accused to ten years imprisonment for two counts of robbery and 16 years’ imprisonment for murder. Their sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 16 years’ direct imprisonment. Both were further declared unfit to possess firearms.

At about 20h00 on the day of the incident, a complainant arrived home in KwaNobuhle and was confronted by Jawa, Level, and a third accomplice (now deceased). The trio, armed with a firearm, robbed him of his blue Audi, R20 cash, and cellphone. Fifteen minutes later, they attacked a second complainant and his wife, robbing them of their groceries, cellphones, and white VW Polo, while using the stolen Audi. They then abandoned the Audi and fled in the stolen Polo.

Police responded swiftly and spotted the Polo on Phalo Street. While following it, officers saw the suspects attempt to hijack another VW Polo by forcing it off the road. When police identified themselves, the suspects pointed firearms at them. Police returned fire, injuring Level. Jawa fled on foot but was arrested shortly after hiding in a nearby yard. The third suspect collapsed and died from a gunshot wound sustained during the shootout. Stolen property and vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners.

Senior State Advocate Velile Makasana argued that the accused had violated the constitutional rights of their victims, including the rights to dignity, life, and property. He stressed that the violent nature of their actions could easily have led to greater loss of life.

The defence, however, argued that substantial and compelling circumstances justified a deviation from the minimum prescribed sentences. These included the fact that no victims were physically injured during the robberies, both accused had already spent 25 months in custody awaiting trial, and the death of the third suspect occurred during police response. The court accepted these submissions. Level’s criminal record revealed prior convictions, including culpable homicide (2016) and incest (2017 and 2019). Jawa had no previous convictions.

Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Barry Madolo, commended the police and prosecution team for their swift and coordinated response, which ensured the recovery of stolen property and the successful conviction of the accused.

Issued by:

Luxolo Tyali

Regional Spokesperson

Eastern Cape Division

National Prosecuting Authority

Tel: 047 501 2630

Email: ltyali@npa.gov.za

Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za | 068 268 2473