St Francis Bay – A 73-year-old St Francis Bay woman’s harrowing home invasion ordeal has resulted in an 18-year prison sentence for her attacker, Phakamile Xhayimpi (38), who violently ambushed and terrorised the elderly woman in broad daylight at her residence.
Luxolo Tyali, National Prosecuting Authority Eastern Cape spokesperson, said that the Gqeberha Regional Court has sentenced Xhayimpi to an effective 18 years’ imprisonment after convicting him of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and negligent driving.
He said that the charges stem from a violent home invasion targeting a 73-year-old woman in St Francis Bay, near Humansdorp, on 25 May 2023.
Xhayimpi, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, ambushed the elderly complainant from behind as she was unlocking her front door in broad daylight.
“He forced her inside, demanded her bank card, tied her to a chair, and ransacked her home. Among the items stolen were alcohol, an inactive Diners Club card, and the keys to her vehicle,” said Tyali.
He said that while the pensioner remained bound to the chair, a concerned friend arrived after she failed to meet him as arranged.
Tyali said that when there was no answer at the door, he walked around the house and saw Xhayimpi drive out of the garage in the stolen vehicle, crashing into a parked car before fleeing the scene.
“The friend entered the home, found the complainant still tied up, and raised the alarm. She managed to unlock the door while still restrained,” said Tyali.
He said that police responded quickly, and the accused’s fingerprints were later discovered on a computer where he had attempted to access the complainant’s banking details.
Tyali said that roughly two hours later, an off-duty police officer, assisted by private security, spotted the stolen vehicle.
He said that during the ensuing pursuit, Xhayimpi, who had a woman, a child, and the stolen alcohol in the car, lost control and crashed into a church fence in Humansdorp.
Tyali said that Xhayimpi was arrested on the scene and has remained in custody since.
Regional Court Prosecutor Johan Jansen, arguing for a harsh sentence, emphasised the complainant’s vulnerability and trauma.
He told the court that the 73-year-old woman had been humiliated in her own home, where she had every right to feel safe.
Jansen further argued that the accused had exploited her age and living situation and violated her fundamental rights to dignity and security.
Tyali said that Xhayimpi was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for kidnapping, and three years for negligent driving.
He further said that the court ordered that all sentences run concurrently with the 18-year term.
Tyali said that he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
He said that the accused has two prior convictions: a 12-month sentence for theft and a three-year sentence for robbery in 2014.
“The court noted that these prior offences, together with the current conviction, showed an escalating disregard for the law and that previous sentences had failed to deter him from further criminal conduct,” said Tyali.
Welcoming the outcome, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, said, “This case reflects the disturbing reality of crimes committed against elderly and defenceless members of our society. The sentence imposed sends a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated. We commend the swift response of law enforcement, the perseverance of the prosecution team, and the courage of the complainant in securing justice.”
