FOUR SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS' IMPRISONMENT EACH FOR PINETOWN SCHOOL ROBBERIES
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DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the effective 35-year direct imprisonment sentences handed down by the Pinetown Regional Court to four men involved in a wave of armed robberies at schools across the greater Pinetown area.
The convicted individuals—Mthobisi Shozi (21), Brian Tyrone Charles (25), Sbonelo Mkhulisi (24), and Lebohang Magwaza (24)—were sentenced following their conviction on multiple counts of armed robbery, kidnapping, and attempted robbery committed in February 2023.
Pretext of School Donations Used to Access Premises
During the trial, the court heard how the gang targeted three schools by gaining access under the false pretense of making charitable donations to the institutions.
Once inside, the men drew firearms, held up and kidnapped staff members, and robbed teachers, support staff, and in one instance, a learner, of laptops and mobile phones. The group subsequently fled the scenes in a getaway vehicle.
Police investigations quickly traced the vehicle, leading to the arrest of all four suspects and the recovery of several stolen items.
Watertight Case and Victim Impact
State Prosecutor Rowen Bevin Souls presented testimony from complainants and the arresting officer, alongside conclusive evidence from identity parades where the victims positively identified the four accused.
A Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by a school principal and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Bonisile Mngoma outlined the severe psychological trauma inflicted on learners and educators, many of whom required extensive post-traumatic counselling.
Breakdown of Effective Sentences
While individual sentences across the various counts totaled decades more, the court ordered portions of the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective 35 years' direct imprisonment for each perpetrator:
Mthobisi Shozi: 15 years for each of 14 counts of aggravated robbery, 5 years for each of 5 counts of kidnapping, and 5 years for each of 2 counts of attempted robbery. (Effective: 35 years)
Brian Tyrone Charles: 15 years for each of 15 counts of aggravated robbery, 5 years for each of 5 counts of kidnapping, and 5 years for each of 2 counts of attempted robbery. (Effective: 35 years)
Sbonelo Mkhulisi: 15 years for each of 8 counts of aggravated robbery, 5 years for each of 5 counts of kidnapping, and 5 years for each of 2 counts of attempted robbery. (Effective: 35 years)
Lebohang Magwaza: 15 years for each of 9 counts of aggravated robbery, 5 years for each of 5 counts of kidnapping, and 5 years for 1 count of attempted robbery. (Effective: 35 years)
The NPA stated that the heavy sentences send a strong deterrent message, emphasizing that schools must remain safe environments for learning, free from criminal intimidation.
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