CASH-in-transit robbers, Xolani Mzimela (32) and Bhekumuzi Ntuli (52) have received hefty sentences for their crimes.
The pair were found guilty at the Mtunzini High Court on Wednesday and sentenced to: life imprisonment for murder, 20 years for robbery, five years for attempted murder and a further four years for Mzimela, for the unlawful possession of unlicensed firearms.
The judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
The court heard how Mzimela and Ntuli killed cash-in-transit guard, Blessing Mncwango during a heist which took place on 12 December 2016 along the N2 freeway south of Empangeni.
Evidence revealed that at about 8.15am on the day of the incident, Mncwango and his colleagues were transferring cash from the security vehicle into an ATM at the Engen service station when they were accosted by the two accused together with other armed accomplices.
At the time, police said the 31-year-old was shot at least twice in the head and chest, at close range, while complying with the gang’s instructions and laying on the ground.
They took his service firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash. A case of aggravated murder, cash-in-transit robbery and attempted murder was registered at Empangeni Police Station for investigation before the docket was allocated to Hawks members of the Richards Bay Serious Organised Crime unit for further investigation.
Shortly after the incident, Mzimela was arrested at Esikhaleni township, where he was found in possession of two unlicensed firearms with ammunition.
Ntuli was also arrested in a cash-in-transit robbery which took place in Pinetown on 31 March 2017.
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