The Sasolburg Magistrates Court has sentenced a 29-year-old man to an effective 17 years’ imprisonment after he was convicted of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Themba Khumalo was convicted for breaking into the house of an elderly couple and making off with R70 000 cash and a cellphone.
According to the state, the victims, Johannes Loots, 74, and his wife, Catharina, 75, were attacked by Khumalo with a braai fork when they entered their house at around 1800 hours on September 22, 2021.
“Loots was busy opening a burglar gate when he was attacked by Khumalo who forced his way into the house,” said National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping in a statement on Monday.
“He attacked the elderly couple by hitting them with fists and kicking them all over their bodies,” he added.
“Loots was lying unconscious when Khumalo took his cellular phone from his pocket and proceeded to take a bag containing R70 000 in cash and left the premises.”
Ironically, Khumalo was, at the time of the incident, employed by Johannes.
The victims were able to give detailed information to the police because they knew the accused well.
Khumalo was arrested in Bophelong, Gauteng, seven months after the incident.
In his defence, Khumalo told the court that he knew nothing about the incident as he was with his mother the whole day at his parental home.
He claimed he never went to the house of the victims.
But Khumalo’s lies were soon to catch up with him after failed to bring his mom to court to corroborate his claims, thereby giving the state more ammunition against him.
“The accused failed to call his mother because he knew he was not with her on the day of the incident,” said state prosecutor Motang Tsolo.
“He was at the home of the victims, and he viciously attacked them before robbing them of their belongings.
“The victims trusted him because he worked for them for three years before the incident.
“In sentencing the accused, the court must consider the gravity of the assault on the victims and their ages.
“He failed to show remorse for his actions and the court must impose a hefty sentence on the accused.”
The court agreed with the prosecutor on the need for a hefty sentence and slapped Khumalo with a 17-year prison term. – Staff Reporter