4 convicted for armed robbery

KNYSNA NEWS - A year and three months after an armed robbery took place in Knysna Heights, four men have been convicted for the crime and sentenced to a collective 80 years in prison.

The judgement was handed down in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Thursday 25 November.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the four men - Tomas Halaiwa (39), Gabriel Heita (38), John Kaimbi (30) and Yonela Khatala (24) - were convicted on two charges.

"They were subsequently each sentenced to five years for housebreaking with the intent to commit robbery and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances," Spies said.

The armed robbery took place shortly before 21:00 at a home in Rio Street in Knysna Heights on 3 August 2020, when a group of four men forced their way into the home. "During the incident the 53-year-old victim and her family were at home when she heard a noise outside," Spies explained.

"She opened the door to investigate when four men, two of them armed with a panga and screwdriver, entered the residence and attacked the occupants. After threatening the couple and their two sons, they took jewellery, cellphones and some personal items of the victims before they fled the scene on foot."

At the time it was reported that some of the stolen items as well a backpack with "house-breaking implements" were recovered in the bushes near the house. It is not clear, however, if any further items were later returned to the family. The taste of freedom did not last long for the foursome, however, as swift action by police led to their arrest the very next day.

"The following day investigating officer, Sergeant Vusumzi Xokozela, followed up information on the suspects who boarded a taxi to Cape Town at the Knysna taxi rank," Spies said.

"Public Order Police in George were activated and the taxi was tracked down on the N2 highway near Mossel Bay where the suspects were apprehended." They will now all be spending 20 years in prison for their crimes.

According to Spies, the Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, commended the investigation.

"As the country is in the period of the 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, local communities will be much safer with these [men] being incarcerated. This lengthy incarceration should also serve as deterrent for anyone who threatens the safety of woman and children."

Chairperson of Owls PHCA Neighbourhood Watch, the organisation that greatly assisted the targeted family through the ordeal, Loryn Ferguson, expressed their delight with the successful outcome of the case.

"On behalf of Owls, a big well done and thank you to the victims for seeing this through (we know it was a terrible ordeal for them) and to all the role players involved with this incident (from response to prosecution)."

Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies. Photo: Blake Linder