The Springbok High Court in the Northern Cape sentenced two Botswana nationals and two South African men for fatally shooting Khalil Lofty Ghazy, an Egyptian businessman outside the Kekkel en Kraai shop in Springbok.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said Ditiro Brooks, 28, Rapaleng Brooks, 27, who are siblings from Botswana, Kgagamatso Mokoding, 42, and Ohentse Bless, 30, were sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for murder, 18 years' imprisonment for robbery and five years imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition and a firearm.
Ehlers said sentences will run concurrently.
Ehlers said on February 1, 2021, the men carried out a well-orchestrated robbery after arming themselves with firearms and then confronted Ghazy and robbed him of R122,500 before fatally shooting him.
They fled the scene in a rented car, and they took refuge in the tavern belonging to one of the accused, Thamsanqa Khaum who is now deceased.
"Prompt action by the South African Police Service led to their apprehension. The stolen money was recovered, and the firearms were found in the vehicle's boot."
One of the men, Bless, was arrested at a roadblock in Kathu. They were all denied bail and remained in custody until sentencing.
In KwaZulu-Natal, a suspect who allegedly robbed an Amanzimtoti businessman as he returned from the bank, was apprehended following a shootout with police.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police arrested one suspect in connection with an armed robbery that resulted in a shootout with police at the corner of Albany Grove and Victoria Embankment in Durban.
“Reports indicate that a businessman went into the bank and withdrew money, and when he arrived at the gate of his business premises in Amanzimtoti he was allegedly accosted by three armed men.
“The suspects reportedly robbed the victim of a bag containing his belongings and a small amount of money.
“The bag containing the large sum of money, which the man had just withdrawn was left in his vehicle," said Netshiunda.
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