Two sentenced to 60 years in prison

Two suspects have each been sentenced to 60 years in prison on several charges, including two counts of attempted murder, murder and the possession of illicit firearms. The two, Sakhiwo Khala (42) and Siyabulela Mcelu (37) were sentenced in the Khayelitsha Regional Court in the Western Cape on Monday. According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), the sentences emanate from a 2015 incident where an SBV cash vehicle arrived at Nolungile Railway Station in Khayelitsha. It is alleged that when SBV crew members came back from collecting the money they were attacked and shot by three unknown suspects. The crew returned fire and one suspect was fatally wounded during the ordeal and two other suspects were wounded but fled the scene on foot. The suspects were charged for fatally wounding one of their own co- suspects. The crew members also sustained injuries during the shootout. The wounded suspects were traced and arrested. The two were found guilty of the counts on 08 November 2023. T he accused were sentenced as follows: Count 1: Attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each. Count 2: Attempted murder, sentenced to six years imprisonment each. Count 3: Attempted murder, sentenced to six years imprisonment each. Count 4: Murder, sentenced to 22 years imprisonment each. Count 5: Possession of illicit firearms, sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each. Count 6: Unlawful possession of ammunition, sentenced to two years imprisonment each. The court ordered that counts 1,2,3 ,5 and 6 run concurrently with count 4. Effectively each accused will serve 22 years direct imprisonment. In terms of Section 103 (1) and (2) of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000, both accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Western Cape Major General Mathipa Makgato commended the team and was delighted that justice has been served. Source: South African Government News Agenc y