Johannesburg – Two armed robbers were handed 20 years and 15 years respective imprisonment by the Ladybrand Regional Court, Free State police said on Tuesday.
Spokesperson Sergeant Martin Xuma said the two were sentenced on Friday, after the incident occurred in February 21, 2015 at around 8.30pm.
“A couple was walking in town to their residential place when they met two armed robbery suspects who attacked them with a panga and took their black bag full of clothes to the value of R5 000, “ said Xuma.
Xuma said during the attack the boyfriend managed to take the panga from the suspects Thabang Maqelepo, 26, and Sifiso Chauke, 21, and stabbed one suspect on his arm.
“The suspects ran away with the bag and the victims alerted the police in Ladybrand.”
Both the victims were taken to the local hospital.
“Whilst Constable Moreki Rampai and Jacob Molefi were doing preliminary investigation at the hospital with the victims, one male arrived at the hospital,” Xuma said.
Xuma said the police became suspicious and took that male patient to the victims and they positively identified him as one of the suspects who had robbed them of their bag.
“Maqelepo was immediately arrested and he told the police where Chauke was staying.”
Police went to the address and managed to arrest Chauke, and he also gave the police the bag that they robbed from the victim, Xuma said.
ANA