SBV Employees Were Sentenced To 30 Years Imprisonment For Robbery
The Gauteng Division: Pretoria High Court, sentenced robbers, Henrico Fourie (39), Fannie Morris Mbuyani (30), Jasias Lucus Maseko (48) and Lazarus Ntlatleng (28), to 30 years of direct imprisonment, for robbing SBV PTY LTD cash in transit, worth over R25 million. The court also ordered that the accused should jointly, and severally compensate SBV for the loss. This is after Judge Bert Bam, convicted them of robbery with aggravation circumstances, causing an explosion, conspiracy to commit an offence, possession of an unlawful firearm and possession of unlawful ammunition. One of the alleged robbers Bekithemba Patrick Mbanjwa, who was out on bail did not appear in court on the day of judgment. His warrant of arrest has since been issued.
The head of department SBV logistics, Watloo Cash Centre, Fourie, recruited and conspired with two other SBV employees, Ntlatleng, a crew member and David Tolo, a driver who was granted indemnity from prosecution, because he turned state witness to rob the SBV truck no B157, at N4 freeway outside Bronkhorspruit, on its way to Pretoria. Their first attempt was on 27 December 2019 but failed as they were no explosives, their second attempt was on 03 January 2020, but failed as they were no vehicles to ram the SBV truck and visibility of police on the N4 freeway. They only succeeded on the 3rd attempt, on 07 January 2020.
A Mercedes Benz was used to ram the SBV truck off the road, and it stopped, whereupon the accused fired shots, Tolo and Ntlatleng were told to exit the truck, and explosives were used to cause an explosion. A value of more than R 25 million was taken from the safe and shared amongst each other. In court, all robbers pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Prosecutor Advocate Molahlwa Mashuga told the court that cash-in-transit robberies are serious and prevalent. The robbery was planned and was an inside job because three of the robbers were employed by SBV. He, therefore, asked the judge to impose a sentence that will send a strong message. The Director of Public prosecution, Adv Sibongile Mzinyathi, acknowledged the outstanding work done by Prosecutor, who took over the matter at short notice while the matter was already enrolled for trial, and the investigating team which led to the conviction and sentence.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana:
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000