Cape Town – Two men have been convicted for their involvement in house robberies in Claremont and Wynberg, including a brutal incident in which they attacked a couple with a hammer and chisel, leaving the husband severely injured and in a coma for three months.
Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala said Phendula Mzanywa, 46 and Buhle Xinti 26, were sentenced in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for house robberies in Briar Street in Claremont and Ritchie Avenue, Wynberg on April 19, 2016.
A third accused, a juvenile, was acquitted.
“The accused had allegedly gained access to the two properties by forcing their way into the homes by jumping over the walls,” Gwala said.
“In the Claremont property, the accused attacked the occupants, a couple, with a hammer and chisel resulting in the 47-year-old husband being in hospital in a coma for three months.
“They stole jewellery and other valuables.
“Meanwhile, in Wynberg they tied up the owner of the property, an elderly man, before taking TV sets and other valuables,” Gwala said.
As part of the police investigation, the suspects’ getaway vehicle was circulated and picked up in Mitchells Plain where they were arrested.
Mzanywa was convicted on two counts of house robbery, attempted murder and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Co-accused, Xinti was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the same offences.
Meanwhile, in house robbery cases investigated by Sergeant Anele Zisile from Claremont SAPS, a 37-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for robberies in 2016 and 2017 in Claremont, the police said.
The accused, Vusi Mahlangu from KwaZulu-Natal, was linked to a September 2016 house robbery in Devon Street through DNA after he drank wine from a bottle in the house.
“He… tied the occupants and stole clothing items, a TV set and jewellery,” Gwala said.
In the second robbery in June 2017 in Esher Street, the accused was also linked through DNA after he removed jewellery from the victim’s finger using his mouth and teeth.
He stabbed the victim with a screwdriver and stole jewellery items and other valuables.
“The management of the SAPS in the Western Cape commends the efforts of Sergeant Anele Zisile as well as the prosecution team for ensuring that justice is served and the accused pay for crimes committed,” Gwala said.
Cape Times