13 Dec 2023

A gang of five men accused of robbing and stabbing a police officer with a knife at his home in Mogonye earlier this year have each been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

Waitse Kanata, 24, Motlamedi Moreri, 23, Ofentse Maruping, 28, Thata Kenaope, 29 and Thapelo Rakwidi, 28 were sent to jail by Magistrate Queen Mwanga of Extension II Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

The five, who have other robbery cases pending before courts, were convicted of a single count of robbery. 

They had pounced at the police officer’s home in the middle of the night demanding money and they stabled him multiple times. 

In the process, the five stole valuables worth over P15 000.

After listening to their mitigation, Magistrate Mwanga said there were no exceptional circumstances hence she sentenced them to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

She described the convicts as undesirable elements who deserved to be kept away for the safety of society. 

“They deserve to be incarcerated for a  considerable period of time, not only to rehabilitate them, but also to protect society against them,” she said.

She said their offence was not a simple robbery as they attacked a man at the comfort of his home in the middle of the night, robbed him and inflicted pain on him.

She described Moreri and Kenaope as thieves and repeat offenders who were convicted by the same court less than three years back. 

“It appears that the previous conviction did not deter them, " Magistrate Mwanga said.

Each of the five had pleaded with the court to be considerate of their youthfulness, saying given a chance they could be rehabilitated and be useful members of society.

They also said they were taking care of their children and blamed excessive drinking of alcohol for their misdeeds.

“Why does abuse of alcohol lead you to robbery, why not to the fields to cut trees?” said Magistrate Mwanga dismissing  their blame on alcohol.

Still at the same court, Magistrate Mwanga sentenced Obuile Nkwala, 22, and Phemelo Keofitlhile, 24, to five years imprisonment for a separate robbery case. ends