Knife-wielding duo get 15 years for robbing tuck shop owner

TWO MEN who forced their way into a tuck shop and robbed a sleeping shopkeeper at knifepoint have each been sentenced to 15 years behind bars, following their conviction in the Prieska Regional Court.

Jan Van Rooi, 33, and Raymond Steenkamp, 25, were found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances stemming from the April 26, 2024, incident. According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam, the pair unlawfully entered the tuck shop during the early hours of the morning while the owner was asleep.

Once inside, they woke the victim, threatened him with a knife, and made off with his cellphone and an undisclosed sum of cash.

The conviction was secured through the efforts of advocate Cornelia Deetlef and investigating officer Detective Constable Dawie Visser. In addition to their prison terms, the court also declared both men unfit to possess firearms.

Sergeant Sam said the police have reiterated their commitment to community safety and continue to encourage members of the public to report crime swiftly.