Seven men were sentenced in the Circuit High Court in Heidelburg on Friday to a total of 1 503 years’ imprisonment for various crimes, Vaal Rand police said.
The men were found guilty on four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder. They were also found guilty of the attempted theft of a vehicle and four counts relating to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The men were identified as Blani Masibulele (30) Ernest Mayekiso (30) Tholilegape Bafe (29) Simphiwe Madolo (27) Bongani Mpeyi (29) Government Xabadiga (33) and Bongani Sothyuantja (36).
Xabadiga and Sothyuantja were sentenced to longer terms due to previous convictions. Vaal Rand area commissioner Faan Steyn said the men were arrested in November 2000 following the robbery of a supermarket in Kliprivier. Victor Gouveia was shot dead and eight-year-old Sedila Mohlala and his 11-year-old sister Cynthia (11) were wounded.
The men also gunned down Sergeant Fox Rapone (33) and Constable Lucas Manamela (35) who responded to the complaint. – Sapa