The Turnrite Mall P2.3 million cash-in-transit robbery case finally reached its conclusion today, after the convicts in the case were sentenced.
Broadhurst Magistrate, Goabaone Rammapudi-Lesedi, sent the quartet of Mothusi Matomela, Thapelo Lekobe, Mzwandile Mazibuko, and Elliot Ntshalintshali to 19 years in prison, ruling that there were no extenuating circumstances. The four were convicted of robbery, unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of goods stolen outside the country while the South Africans also have a charge of illegal entry into Botswana.
The quartet hit a cash in transit vehicle at the Turnrite Mall in Mogoditshane back in October 2021, which was supposed to deposit the money in the FNB ATM. From the P2.3 million, only P2.1 million was recovered.
In court today, following the judgment and mitigation in previous court sessions, Magistrate Lesedi finally delivered her sentence to the four convicts.
“In the end, the court is satisfied that no extenuating circumstances exist for all the accused persons.
“Over and above the court is satisfied that the sentences that follow are fair and in line with the law,” the magistrate said.
Though there were no extenuating circumstances in the matter, Lesedi stated that she disregarded the previous convictions of Matomela and Lekobe as they are way over 10 years.
The magistrate did not consolidate her sentence for all the five counts that the convicts had been found guilty of. But rather sentenced in every count they were found guilty of.
“In count one (robbery charge) Matomela, Lekobe, Mazibuko and Ntshalintshali are all sentenced to 16 years in prison. Count two (unlawful possession of firearm) all accused persons are fined P2 000 each or 12 months imprisonment,” she passed her sentence.
“On count three (unlawful possession of ammunition) all accused persons are fined P2, 000 each or 12 months imprisonment and in count four (illegal entry into Botswana) Mazibuko and Ntshalintshali are fined P3, 000 each or 18 months imprisonment,” she ordered.
On the last count (unlawful possession of stolen goods outside Botswana), the magistrate sentenced all the four convicts to three years in prison.
For the sentences that were fines, Magistrate Lesedi gave the convicts up till September 26 to pay the dues, and if they did not meet the deadline they will serve the sentences on top of the 19 years.
Rather than ordering that the sentences run concurrently, the magistrate ordered that they shall serve each sentence.
“The prison terms shall run consecutively and the prison terms are backdated to October 15, 2021,” she ordered.
All the stolen items that were recovered on the day, an order has been issued that they be returned to their rightful owners.
