TWO MEN SENTENCED FOR ROBBERY WITH AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES IN SASOLBURG
25 SEPTEMBER 2025
TWO MEN SENTENCED FOR ROBBERY WITH AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES IN SASOLBURG
Sasolburg, Free State – The Sasolburg Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Julius Mashea (39) and Peter Chenene (43) for robbery with aggravating circumstances, following a violent attack on a female hitchhiker in September 2020.
On the day of the incident, the victim accepted a lift from the accused, who was driving a silver-grey Jetta, after she had withdrawn money at the Vaal Mall in Vanderbijlpark. Along the way, the men threatened her with a knife and forced her to transfer money via a banking application before robbing her of her cellphone and cash. The complainant was further threatened at gunpoint before being forced out of the vehicle in Vaal Park.
Despite the trauma, the complainant was able to positively identify the assailants and their vehicle. Members of the Sasolburg Highway Patrol, assisted by the Sedibeng K9 Unit, later intercepted the car. A knife was found inside, and both men were arrested. They were also linked to another similar robbery in the area.
During the trial, the defence challenged the admissibility of the identification parade, but the court dismissed their version, finding the complainant and police witnesses to be credible. The court further noted that the accused acted in furtherance of a common purpose, targeted a vulnerable woman, and committed the crime out of greed despite being employed at the time.
The presiding officer sentenced Mashea (Accused 1): 15 years’ direct imprisonment, with part of the sentence running concurrently with one he is already serving for a similar robbery, and Chenene (Accused 2): 12 years’ imprisonment. His application for leave to appeal was refused.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State welcomes the conviction and sentence, commending the courage of the complainant as well as the swift action by the police. The NPA remains committed to protecting vulnerable members of society and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are held accountable.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
073 423 353