Zainul Dawood|Published
The Durban Regional Court has found ten men guilty of multiple business robberies at chain stores between 2017 and 2019 in KwaZulu-Natal.
The men faced 19 counts of armed robbery and appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Tuesday for mitigation in their sentencing. They were charged with robberies that occurred in Durban Central, Estcourt (2019), Pinetown (2018), Tongaat (2018), and KwaDukuza (2018).
One of the men was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Most of the charges were read with common purpose. Some of the men were brought to court by Department of Correctional Services staff because they had been imprisoned for other robbery matters outside of Durban. These details are expected to be revealed in court during sentencing.
Crime a national pastime
Rajen Nagesar, a former detective with the Provincial Organised Crime, had told the court that a group of 10 to 15 men had been robbing various stores of cash, jewellery and cellphones. In court papers, Nagesar dubbed the gang the “Man G Gang”. He said that as the investigating officer he linked the men to the crimes by identification parade, fingerprints and video footage.
"The robberies were carried out in a brazen manner," he said.
In court papers, Nagesar said one of the men had also been linked to a similar offence committed in Cape Town.
“Robbery with aggravating circumstances is now very prevalent in society, and the magistrates at regional courts have commented that this crime appears to be a national pastime in the country, and society needs to be protected from the aggressors; keeping them in custody will ensure public safety and restore the public's confidence,” Nagesar told the court.
Robber tells court to have mercy
Thabiso Mdletshe, Philani Magongo, Wanda Mcwabe, Michael Nxumalo, Khanyisani Thusi, Lindani Ndlovu, Thokozani Mdlalose, Sandile Ngcobo, Sabelo Shandu, and Andile Mchunu will appear in court on Wednesday for mitigation of sentence.
Magongo told the court on Tuesday that it should take into consideration that he had spent close to five years awaiting trial. He was arrested in April 2019 and released on bail in June 2023. He said while out on bail he had attended all court hearings and also found himself employment as a delivery driver.
Magongo told the court he would like to be at home with his family because life in jail was not easy. His employer also submitted a letter to court for consideration where he described Magongo in good terms. Magongo asked the court to have mercy on him.
Stores robbed
According to the charge sheet the men robbed American Swiss Jewellers in November 2017; Sportscene Durban in November 2017; Jet Stores in December 2017; Clicks in West Street in February 2018; Markham in August 2018; Exact-KwaDukuza in November 2018; Total Sports in KwaDukuza in July 2018; Exact Store in West Street in April 2018; and the Fix-City View Mall in March 2019.
Prosecutor Surekha Marimuthu is expected to continue addressing the court regarding sentencing on Wednesday.
IOL