DURBAN – Three men, Mandla Xesibe (33), Thabo Banga Qulo (29) and Sphamandla Bright Dlamini (24) appeared in the Durban Regional Court on 13 July 2022 on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of suspected stolen property as well as unlawful possession of a firearms and ammunition. The Provincial Organised Crime Unit arrested the three friends during an intelligence driven operation in 2019.

The police officers followed up on information, which led them to Bluff Road in Clairwood where they spotted the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and two firearms, ammunition and jewellery, which was allegedly stolen in Brighton Beach, was recovered. The accused failed to provide proof of ownership when they were questioned about the items.

During their arrest, it was discovered that Xesibe was also wanted for a robbery case, which was reported in Umkomaas on 07 July 2019, where construction workers were robbed of their belongings. The accused and his friends instructed the victims to lie down, before they stole their bankcards and demanded their pin codes. They drove with the victims and dropped them at Umlazi.

The accused made several court appearances before they were sentenced. Xesibe was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, Qulo was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for possession of stolen property wholly suspended for five years, and Dlamini was given ten years imprisonment for possession of stolen property wholly suspended for five years.

Source: South African Police Service