Three armed robbers are behind bars for a combined 45 years thanks to thorough investigations by local detectives.

Two Lwandle men were the first to face justice. On 18 October 2023, Anga Jafta and Thembelani Mayekiso, along with accomplices, robbed a victim in Siyabonga Street around 16:15. The two pointing a firearm at the victim and took all his belongings, including his cellphone.

The victim reported the crime to Lwandle police the following day and accompanied officers to Jafta’s home, where he was arrested.

He was found in possession of the phone, but he was unable to give a satisfactory explanation.

Detective Sergeant Mfundo Soyiyo’s thorough investigation linked Mayekiso to the case, which eventually led to his arrest as well.

The Strand Magistrates’ Court found both men guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances on Tuesday 3 March, and sentenced each to 15 years’ imprisonment. They have been deemed unfit to possess firearms.

Two weeks later, the third conviction followed. Ralston Geldenhuys, a Strand resident, was found guilty of a New Year’s Day robbery in Gordon’s Bay.

On 1 January last year, Geldenhuys approached a woman in Disa Road while she was walking to a local supermarket at 15:30.

He robbed her using an imitation firearm, taking her handbag containing her cellphone, wallet, vehicle keys and house keys.

The victim alerted Gordon’s Bay police, with sergeants Trevor Felix and Craven Baba immediately responding. Geldenhuys was arrested while attempting to flee across a pathway from Disa Road into Dennehof Road.

Detective Sergeant Willenecia Spogter’s investigation led to him being found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances in the Strand Regional Court on Tuesday 17 March. He received a 15-year sentence.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mlamli Voyiya, Lwandle station commander, and Captain Adré Delport, Gordon’s Bay station commander, commended their investigating officers for pursuing justice.