Robbers sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by regional court in Knysna – SAPS Crime Report: 2021-11-26 13:59:19

South African Police Service

Office of the Provincial Commissioner Western Cape

WESTERN CAPE – Thorough investigation by investigators probing serious and violent crimes secured a 20 years’ imprisonment sentencing meted against four robbers at the Regional Court in Knysna on Thursday, 25 November 2021.

During the incident on 03 August 2021, the 53-year-old victim and her family were at their home in Rio Street, Knysna when she heard a noise outside. She opened the door to investigate when four men, two of them armed a panga and screwdriver, entered the residence and attacked the occupants. After threatening the couple and their two sons, they took jewellery, cell phones and some personal items of the victims before they fled the scene on foot.

The following day, the investigating officer, Sergeant Vusumzi Xokozela, followed up information on the suspects who boarded a taxi to Cape Town at the Knysna taxi rank. Public Order Police in George were activated and the taxi was tracked down on the N2 highway near Mossel Bay where the suspects, Tomas Halaiwa (39), Gabriel Heita (38), John Kaimbi (30) and Yonela Khatala (24), were apprehended. 

The foursome were convicted on two charges each. They were subsequently sentenced to 5 years for housebreaking with the intent to commit robbery and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, welcomed the convictions and subsequent sentencing. He also commended the investigation and the prosecuting teams who were instrumental in removing the robbers, who threatened the safety of a woman and her children, from the streets. He said: “As the country are in the period of the 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, local communities will be much safer with these perpetrators being incarcerated. This lengthy incarceration should also serve as deterrent for anyone who threatens the safety of woman and children. They will face the full might of the law once arrested.”

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