They terrorised businesses in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, for seven months committing 51 robberies. The also robbed employees at the businesses in Durban and surrounding arears. On Friday, the Durban Regional Court sentenced six men to various prison terms for the spate of business robberies they committed between March and September 2019 in different parts of KZN. Three of the suspects were given 30-years in jail while the other three were each given with a prison sentence of 15, 60 and 70 years.

THE ROBBERIES

 Sphamandla Njini Zuma (25), Thabiso Gumede (32), Mvuyiso Dondi (30), Maswenkosi Mazwe (27), Sifiso Mhlongo (23) and Serry Myboy Ngcobo (23) robbed Hollywood Bets in Chatsworth, Marshall World of Sports in Pinetown and Amanzimtoti, Playa Bets in Umzinto, TAB in Pietermaritzburg and Kwa-Dukuza, and the Gold Circle in Umlazi. They also robbed several patrons and employees who were present at the time of the robberies. The men made off with approximately R600 000 in total from the heists. 

?IDENTITY PARADE

 The suspects were traced after a facial recognition analysis was done on the CCTV footage from the stores. Regional Court Prosecutor Kuveshni Pillay led the testimonies of the complainants as well as the findings of the identity parades. The complainants testified on the trauma they experienced during the robberies. Pillay also led the evidence of a facial recognition expert. 

IMPRISONMENT 

Zuma was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for five counts of robbery and will serve an effective 30-year imprisonment. Gumede was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for 17 counts of robbery and he will serve 70-years behind bars. Dondi was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for five counts of robbery and will serve an effective 30-year imprisonment and Mazwe was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for three counts of robbery and will serve an effective 15-year imprisonment. Mhlongo was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for 16 counts of robbery and will serve 60 years effectively. Ngcobo was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each for six counts of robbery and will serve an effective sentence of 30 years.

KZN NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara commended the work of the prosecution and the SAPS in contributing to this successful prosecution. "Business robberies are impacting on the economy, and we hope this successful prosecution has a deterrent effect," she said.