Jabulani Sibiya and Sabelo Mthembu were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a violent robbery, kidnapping, and murder in Empangeni. | Oupa Mokoena/ Independent Newspapers
Durban — Two men received lengthy prison sentences for their roles in a robbery, kidnapping and murder in Empangeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal, in 2022.
Recently, KZN National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said: “The Ngwelezane Regional Court has sentenced Jabulani Sibiya, 29, and Sabelo Mthembu, 31, to 37 years and 25 years imprisonment, respectively, for the robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, three counts of attempted murder and murder they committed in the Empangeni area in September 2022.
“Sibiya was sentenced to an additional eight years imprisonment for the possession of a prohibited firearm.”
Ramkisson-Kara said that in the evening on September 2, 2022, the victim, a 24-year-old Pakistani national, was knocked over by a motor vehicle while riding his bike.
Sibiya and Mthembu exited the vehicle with another co-assailant. They grabbed the victim and put him into the vehicle. They were joined by a further assailant and the men assaulted the victim, demanding his belongings. They then drove towards the Matshana Reserve, Empangeni.
Meanwhile, the victim’s friends, who had seen the incident, informed the police, and the police followed in the direction of the Matshana Reserve. The police saw the vehicle and followed them, causing the suspects to fire shots at the police officers. The police returned fire and during the exchange, Sibiya and Mthembu were injured. One of their suspects managed to escape while the other was killed. Three police officials were also injured.
Sibiya and Mthembu were arrested at the scene and the victim was able to recover all his stolen items.
Ramkisson-Kara said that in aggravation of the sentence, Prosecutor Precious Sithandwa Fortunate Radebe handed in Victim Impact Statements facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Seneliso Magdeline Sibanda and compiled by the victim and the three injured police officers.
In his statement, the victim said the incident left him highly traumatised while the police expressed fear for their lives, stating that the accused were ruthless and relentless.
Further breaking down their sentences, Ramkisson-Kara said: “Sibiya was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for kidnapping, seven years on each count of attempted murder (the police officers), 12 years imprisonment for the murder of their co-assailant, and eight years imprisonment for the possession of a prohibited firearm. Since the court ordered that some sentences run concurrently, he will effectively serve 37 years imprisonment.
“Mthembu was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the robbery, five years for kidnapping, seven years on each count of attempted murder (the police officers), and 10 years imprisonment for the murder of their co-assailant. Since some of the sentences will run concurrently, he will serve an effective 25 years imprisonment.”
Ramkisson-Kara said Sibiya and Mthembu were also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
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