adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
ONE of the five armed robbers who broke into TM Pick n Pay Cowdray Park supermarket has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to armed robbery.
Sibangani Nxumalo was the unlucky robber as his four accomplices are suspected to have fled to the neighbouring South Africa with grocery items worth about $1,100.
Nxumalo pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery before regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
“You’re therefore sentenced to 12 years imprisonment of which 2 years is suspended for 5 years on condition of good behaviour. One year is also suspended on condition that you restitute TM Pick n Pay Supermarket Cowdray Park of $1,100 before May 31 this year,” said magistrate Msipa-Marondedze.
In mitigation, he told magistrate Msipa-Marondedze that he only got away with $30 from the stolen goods.
“I’m married with four children who depend on me for upkeep. May the courts forgive me, I erred,” said Nxumalo.
Prosecuting Paida Zengeni said on March 13 at around 12AM, Nxumalo acting with four accomplices still at large drove to the supermarket.
They approached Petros Masuku, a security guard leaving behind Nxumalo to look out for police on patrol while they stole from the supermarket.
“Nxumalo’s accomplices, armed with pistols threatened Masuku and tied his legs before robbing him of his phone, cash and baton,” said Zengeni.
The crew broke into the supermarket and looted groceries worth $1,100.
“They loaded the groceries into a vehicle and drove off. Nxumalo was arrested after a tip off which led to the recovery of empty alcohol bottles.”
derick.khumalo