A YOUNG man who terrorised and robbed women at gunpoint of their belongings in eSikhaleni during December 2012, finally faced justice at eSikhawini Regional Magistrate’s Court this week.
Bongani Gumede, believed to be the mastermind behind a series of house break-ins and car hijackings in the area, was sentenced to 30 years. He will effectively spend 20 years behind bars.
He was arrested and charged for robbing two students of their cell phones and hijacking a young woman taking her 4×4 Toyota Fortuner from a house at J1 section.
During the lengthy court case, a young mother testified. She said Gumede and his accomplice entered her house at 2am and at gunpoint, demanded her car keys and other electronic equipment.
‘I was sleeping when my boyfriend woke me up and told me there were people in the house. Two men, standing in my lounge, approached us with guns and threatened to kill us if we did not give them what they wanted,’ said the woman.
Police said Gumede was nabbed by the tracker company who then notified them of his whereabouts.
Two young students also testified against him, and said he had viciously assaulted them and stole their belongings, including laptops and cell phones.
‘We were sleeping with a window open and he pointed a gun at us through the window, and demanded our things,’ said one victim.
Gumede’s victims welcomed the sentence and said they were thrilled that one criminal had been taken off the streets.
‘I will now be able to sleep because I couldn’t throughout the trial. I was always so scared they might release him and was afraid of what he might do to us. I am happy and not afraid anymore,’ said one of the students.
Gumede received 15 years for armed robbery and another 15 years for hijacking.
