Kwazi Innocent Radebe was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances on Tuesday December 12.
In March 2021, Kwazi Innocent Radebe and his accomplice Mqobi Nudmiso Mngadi robbed and attempted to murder a 26-year-old man in Inanda. The victim was shot and sustained serious injury, and the two men then fled the scene but were later apprehended by the police.
On Tuesday (December 12), the Ntuzuma Regional Court sentenced Radebe, 20, to an effective 30 years in jail for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition relating to the incident that took place in March 2021. His co-accused, Mngadi, 27, had passed away during the trial proceedings, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.
“On March 27, 2021, the complainant was walking on the road after being dropped off by his work transport, when he was approached by Radebe and his accomplices who were in a motor vehicle. They alighted the vehicle and robbed the complainant at gunpoint. They took his wages of R3000, his bag containing his work uniform, his cellphone and the takkies he was wearing. During the commission of the robbery, the complainant was shot in the abdomen by Radebe, causing the complainant to sustain a serious injury,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
Radebe and his accomplices then proceeded to the petrol station at the Dube Village Mall where they assaulted customers who were exiting the QuikShop, added Ms Ramkisson-Kara. When the police arrived, they approached Radebe and his accomplices to surrender. However, Mr Radebe shot at the police, and he was shot and injured when the police retaliated. During the shootout, Radebe’s accomplices were able to escape while Radebe was taken to a nearby clinic.
“Coincidentally, Radebe was taken to the same clinic as the complainant. The complainant identified him as the one who had shot him and robbed him together with his accomplices. The police found the complainant’s phone in Radebe’s possession and Radebe was arrested,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
In court Regional Court Prosecutor Kaystree Ramsamujh led the evidence of the complainant as well as the SAPS officials who arrested Radebe. During his evidence, the complainant further testified that the incident had left him emotionally and physically scarred. He has not yet fully recovered from his injuries and he is now fearful of walking home after work, he said.
“Taking all the evidence into consideration, the court sentenced Radebe to 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years imprisonment for attempted murder, 10 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm and one year imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The court ruled that the sentences for the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition will run concurrently with each other, resulting in the effective sentence of 30 years imprisonment. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm because of the offences committed,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.