A hefty sentence of 27 years of direct imprisonment was handed to a man following an armed robbery in the paediatric ward of Durbanville Mediclinic in 2023.

Nelson “Nkwenkwe” Dyantyi entered the private hospital on the evening of 31 August 2023 through a back window and threatened patients and staff with a firearm.

He robbed them of their mobile phones, laptops and wallets before fleeing through the same window.

Detective WO Heiny Marais of the Durbanville detective unit identified the perpetrator through thorough investigation.

Tracing operation

Shortly afterwards, a tracing operation was conducted, resulting in Dyantyi’s arrest.

Bail was successfully opposed.

After a lengthy trial, the accused was convicted of armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

He was sentenced to 27 years’ direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

The Western Cape police management welcomed the sentence in a media release.