2 Zimbabweans, South African jailed for armed robberies

Three men, including two Zimbabwean nationals, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms by the Modimolle Regional Court in South Africa after being convicted of a series of armed robberies that terrorised residents of the Masakhane community in Limpopo Province.

The convicted men are Ayke Araminda (31), who received an effective 20-year prison sentence, fellow Zimbabwean Zimba Majeza (30), who was sentenced to 25 years' direct imprisonment, and South African national Thabiso Seoketsa (39), who was jailed for an effective 15 years.

The trio was convicted on three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, while the Zimbabwean nationals were also found guilty of contravening South Africa's immigration laws.

Confirming the sentences on Tuesday, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Limpopo regional spokesperson Ms Mashudu Malabi welcomed the court's decision.

"The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed on the three accused persons who were convicted on three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and contravention of immigration laws," she said.

The court heard that all three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the State presented evidence showing that on September 3, 2023, the men operated as a syndicate, using firearms to rob members of the Masakhane community of their cellular phones.

"During the trial, the State led evidence from witnesses who testified that on 3 September 2023, the accused, acting as a syndicate, terrorised members of the Masakhane community by using firearms to rob residents of their cellular phones," said Ms Malabi.

Police responded swiftly after receiving reports of the robberies and arrested the suspects on the same evening. At the time of their arrest, officers recovered several cellular phones belonging to the victims.

"The police were alerted to the incidents on the same evening and they swiftly apprehended the three men. At the time of their arrest, the accused were found in possession of the victims' cellular phones," she added.

In aggravation of sentence, State prosecutor Mr Joseph Sibanda argued that the accused were not first-time offenders and had shown no remorse for their actions.

The prosecution further submitted that the trio had instilled fear within the community, demonstrated a tendency toward criminal behaviour and displayed a blatant disregard for the law.

The State successfully argued that a severe sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offences and to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.

Commenting on the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions in Limpopo, Advocate Ivy Thenga, said organised crime carries significant social and economic consequences.

"The economic costs of organised crime are significant, affecting both local and global economies," said Ms Malabi.

"These costs encompass the direct impact of criminal activities, such as theft and fraud, as well as indirect costs resulting from increased law enforcement expenditures and lost economic opportunities in affected communities."

Advocate Thenga also commended the prosecution team, the South African Police Service and other stakeholders involved in the case for securing the successful conviction and sentencing of the offenders.

The sentences bring to an end a case that highlighted growing concerns over organised criminal syndicates targeting vulnerable communities in parts of South Africa.