Four men from left Mthobisi Wonder Shozi, Lebo Nhlakanipho Magwaza, Brian Tyron Charles, and Sbonelo Sxolile Mkhuluisi have been sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment by the Pinetown Regional Court for armed robberies and kidnappings.
The Pinetown Regional Court has sentenced four men to an effective 35 years’ imprisonment each for carrying out a series of armed robberies and kidnappings targeting teachers at schools across KwaZulu-Natal.
On Tuesday, Magistrate Muntukayise Khumalo found that Mthobisi Wonder Shozi, Lebo Nhlakanipho Magwaza, Brian Tyron Charles, and Sbonelo Sxolile Mkhulisi had failed to present substantial and compelling circumstances that would justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentences.
The four men were convicted of a spate of robberies committed in February 2023. They first struck Nazareth Primary School on February 2, then targeted teachers at Edamini Primary School near Shongweni Dam on February 8. Their final attack took place on February 20 at Tholulwazi Secondary School in Molweni.
Handing down the sentence, Khumalo said the courts should not depart from minimum sentences for “flimsy reasons”, citing case law.
