Man G Gang sentenced to 210 years for R8.1m KwaZulu-Natal robbery spree

The sentences were handed down at the Durban Regional Court on Friday after the accused were found guilty of multiple robberies involving clothing stores, retailers, a jeweller and other businesses. The court heard that the robberies caused direct losses of R8.1 million, while also leaving employees traumatised and forcing businesses to increase security.

Ten accused sentenced for multiple armed robberies

The men sentenced were Thabiso Mdletshe, Philani Magongo, Wanda Mcwabe, Michael Nxumalo, Khanyisani Thusi, Lindani Ndlovu, Thokozani Mdlalose, Sandile Ngcobo, Sabelo Shandu and Andile Mchunu.

Their individual sentences were:

• Thabiso Mdletshe: 14 counts of armed robbery and 41 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Philani Magongo: one count of armed robbery and 15 years’ imprisonment.
• Wanda Mcwabe: nine counts of armed robbery and 31 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Michael Nxumalo: five counts of armed robbery and 24 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Khanyisani Thusi: four counts of armed robbery and 18 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Lindani Ndlovu: one count of armed robbery and 18 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Thokozani Mdlalose: six counts of armed robbery and 30 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Sandile Ngcobo: three counts of armed robbery and 21 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Sabelo Shandu: three counts of armed robbery and 25 years’ direct imprisonment.
• Andile Mchunu: five counts of armed robbery and 27 years’ direct imprisonment.

Stores targeted across KwaZulu-Natal

The charge sheet linked the men to robberies at a number of well-known retail outlets. The businesses targeted included American Swiss Jewellers in November 2017, Sportscene Durban in November 2017 and Jet Stores in December 2017.

Other incidents involved Clicks in West Street in February 2018, Exact Store in West Street in April 2018, Total Sports in KwaDukuza in July 2018, Markham in August 2018 and Exact-KwaDukuza in November 2018.

The Fix at City View Mall was also robbed in March 2019. The range of locations and businesses reflected a pattern of attacks on commercial premises rather than a single isolated incident.

Robberies planned and carried out during the day

Retired Captain Rajen Nagesar, a former detective with the Provincial Organised Crime unit, told the court that a group of between 10 and 15 men had been involved in robbing stores of cash, jewellery and cellphones.

Nagesar, who was the investigating officer, said the accused were linked to the crimes through identification parades, fingerprints and video footage. He described the robberies as brazen. Court papers also linked one of the men to a similar offence committed in Cape Town.

Magistrate Hein Visagie said the robberies had been carefully planned. Most of the accused lived in KwaMashu and surrounding areas, and in some cases travelled long distances to commit the offences.

The attacks took place at commercial premises during daylight hours. Prosecutor Surekha Marimuthu told the court that employees, customers and others present were exposed to firearms and forced to comply with the demands of the perpetrators because they feared what might happen if they resisted.

Employees left traumatised

The court heard that some sales assistants were herded into rooms and kept there while the robberies took place. Visagie said the experience left victims terrified and helpless, with emotional effects that could continue long after the incidents.

Matthew Gounden, a forensic investigator at The Foschini Group, said staff members were injured during the robberies and remained severely traumatised. Several employees later left the business because of the trauma they had experienced.

Gounden also told the court that the business provided victim support and counselling to staff. He said the robberies resulted in operational disruptions and store closures, causing an additional loss of income.

The court heard that the accused had shown no remorse during the proceedings. Some of them had been gainfully employed when the robberies were committed, while the prosecution argued that unemployment could not be treated as a mitigating factor in the circumstances.

Businesses faced higher security costs

Gounden said the businesses suffered a total direct loss of R8.1 million as a result of the syndicate’s actions. They also incurred significant additional costs to upgrade closed-circuit television systems and deploy more security guards at stores.

Visagie said the consequences of business robberies extend beyond the immediate loss of property. Companies must pay for security measures and higher insurance premiums to protect themselves against theft, robbery and break-ins.

“This has a ripple effect on the community as businesses often operating on tight margins pass these added costs to consumers already burdened by economic pressures,” Visagie told the court.

He said the actions of the gang contributed to a cycle of rising prices, leaving ordinary consumers to carry the cost of losses and increased protection measures.

Court stresses public safety and respect for the law

Marimuthu said sentencing had to reflect the seriousness of the offences, provide just punishment and promote respect for the law. She said the court also had to consider the feelings of the community, the protection of society and the need to maintain peace and tranquillity.

Members of the public, she said, should be able to enter retail establishments and go about their daily activities without being exposed to threats involving firearms.

Visagie described the high rate of armed robberies across South Africa as deeply concerning. He said businesses and individuals lived under constant threat, with offenders targeting shops, service stations and informal businesses serving communities.

He also noted that these crimes were difficult to combat, investigate and solve. Nagesar told the court that robbery with aggravating circumstances had become highly prevalent and that keeping dangerous offenders in custody was necessary to protect the public and restore confidence in the justice system.

The combined sentences bring the case against the ten men to a close after a series of robberies that caused substantial financial damage and lasting harm to the employees who were confronted during the attacks.