Four men jailed for 35 years over Pinetown school robberies and kidnappings

Four men were sentenced to 35 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping at schools in the Pinetown area. The sentence was handed down at the Pinetown Regional Court on Tuesday (July 14) by Magistrate Muntu Khumalo, according to Highway Mail (The Citizen).

Magistrate cites lack of remorse and careful planning

Magistrate Khumalo told the court he found “no factual basis that all four accused are candidates for rehabilitation” and said they had not shown “an ounce of remorse ever since these proceedings began.” The four Mthobisi Shozi, Brian Charles, Sbonelo Mkhulisi and Lebogang Magwaza had asked the court, through their defence attorney, to consider their youth and potential for rehabilitation when imposing sentence, Highway Mail (The Citizen) reports.

Daylight attacks that targeted teachers

Magistrate Khumalo said the attacks were “carefully planned” and were carried out in broad daylight. During the incidents, teachers were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint of their personal belongings, including cellphones and laptops, the report says.

Impact on victims and community

Khumalo described the offences of robbery and kidnapping as serious crimes that “strike at the core of order in society” and said they undermine individuals’ rights to possess and peacefully enjoy their property, according to Highway Mail (The Citizen).

The magistrate noted that, despite strong evidence against the accused, they chose to go to trial. That decision, he said, forced witnesses to relive the “horrible” experiences of the school robberies. One teacher testified that the ordeal had been a life-changing experience which they will never forget.

Aggravating conduct and weapons findings

Khumalo highlighted aggravating factors, including assaults on teachers at Tholulwazi, where the accused allegedly assaulted staff even though they had firearms and could have induced submission without physical violence. The court declared the four unfit to possess a firearm, Highway Mail (The Citizen) reports.

Sentence and court reasoning

In delivering sentence, Khumalo said the aggravating factors far outweighed the mitigating ones and described the personal circumstances submitted on behalf of the four as “flimsy grounds” for leniency. The magistrate concluded that the seriousness of the offences and the impact on teachers and public-school safety warranted the 35-year sentences, according to Highway Mail (The Citizen).

“These offences undermined the individual’s rights to possess their property, and to peacefully enjoy the property they own,”

All factual claims in this article are attributed to Highway Mail (The Citizen).