Crime and court
Zainul Dawood|Published
Business robberies have a ripple effect on society and contribute to spiralling prices of goods, said Magistrate Hein Visagie when he sentenced ten men dubbed the “Man G Gang” in the Durban Regional Court on Friday.
They were found guilty and sentenced on charges of business robberies that occurred in Durban Central, Estcourt, Pinetown, Tongaat, and KwaDukuza between 2018 and 2019.
Visagie said that while businesses suffer dire financial losses, the harm continues as they spend heavily on security measures such as surveillance cameras and guards, and pay higher insurance premiums to cover theft, robbery, and break-ins.
“This has a ripple effect on the community as businesses often operating on tight margins pass these added costs to consumers already burdened by economic pressures. Their actions, therefore, contribute to the cycle of spiralling prices, forcing ordinary citizens to bear the highest costs of goods," he told the court.
Crime a national pastime
Rajen Nagesar, a former detective with the Provincial Organised Crime, had told the court that a group of 10 to 15 men had been robbing various stores of cash, jewellery and cellphones. In court papers, Nagesar dubbed the gang the “Man G Gang”. He said that as the investigating officer, he linked the men to the crimes by identification parade, fingerprints and video footage.
"The robberies were carried out brazenly," he said.
In court papers, Nagesar said one of the men had also been linked to a similar offence committed in Cape Town.
“Robbery with aggravating circumstances is now very prevalent in society, and the magistrates at regional courts have commented that this crime appears to be a national pastime in the country, and society needs to be protected from the aggressors; keeping them in custody will ensure public safety and restore the public's confidence,” Nagesar told the court.
Accused jail terms
The men found guilty of the robberies were, Thabiso Mdletshe, Philani Magongo, Wanda Mcwabe, Michael Nxumalo, Khanyisani Thusi, Lindani Ndlovu, Thokozani Mdlalose, Sandile Ngcobo, Sabelo Shandu, and Andile Mchunu were sentenced on Friday.
The men found guilty and sentenced were:
- Mdletshe: 14 counts of armed robbery, 41 years' direct imprisonment
- Magongo: 1 count of armed robbery, 15 years' imprisonment
- Mcwabe: 9 counts of armed robbery, 31 years' direct imprisonment
- Nxumalo: 5 counts of armed robbery, 24 years' direct imprisonment
- Thusi: 4 counts of armed robbery, 18 years' direct imprisonment
- Ndlovu: 1 count of armed robbery, 18 years' direct imprisonment
- Mdlalose: 6 counts of armed robbery, 30 years' direct imprisonment
- Ngcobo: 3 counts of armed robbery, 21 years' direct imprisonment
- Shandu: 3 counts of armed robbery, 25 years' direct imprisonment
- Mchunu: 5 counts of armed robbery, 27 years' direct imprisonment
Stores robbed
According to the charge sheet, the men robbed American Swiss Jewellers in November 2017; Sportscene Durban in November 2017; Jet Stores in December 2017; Clicks in West Street in February 2018; Markham in August 2018; Exact-KwaDukuza in November 2018; Total Sports in KwaDukuza in July 2018; Exact Store in West Street in April 2018; and the Fix-City View Mall in March 2019.
Respect the law
In court, Prosecutor Surekha Marimuthu said the court's decision has an impact on individuals in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. She said the court must also, by its decisions and imposition of sentence, promote respect for the law, and in doing so must reflect the seriousness of the offence and provide just punishment for the offender while taking into account the personal circumstances of the offender.
“The feelings of the community, the protection of society against the accused and other potential offenders must be considered, as well as the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the land needs to be taken into account. Members of the public must be able to enter retail establishments and perform their daily activities without being exposed to threats of violence involving firearms,” Marimuthu said.
The court heard that some of the accused were gainfully employed during the time that the robberies were committed.
“Even unemployment cannot be said to be a mitigating factor. The presence of firearms during these offences created a real and immediate risk to the lives and public safety of the employees, customers and other persons who may have been present at the affected stores,” Marimuthu said.
Daylight robberies
She said the victims were placed in a position where they had to comply with the demands of armed perpetrators for fear of what might happen if they resisted. The psychological consequences of such experiences extend beyond the immediate commission of the offences.
She said they committed armed robberies at commercial premises during daylight hours, exposing the persons present to threats of violence and the potential consequences associated with the use of firearms.
Visagie said the high rate of armed robberies across South Africa is deeply concerning. He said both businesses and individuals live under constant threat, with offenders targeting shops, service stations and even informal businesses serving the community. He said these crimes are notoriously difficult to combat ,challenging to investigate and solve.
“Most of them reside in KwaMashu and surrounds and in some instances, travelled long distances to commit the crimes. The robberies were carefully planned,” he said.
Visagie said the impact of these offences on the sales assistants in the various stores was severe. In some instances, the victims were herded into rooms and kept there while the robberies were carried out.
“It leaves them terrified and helpless and often causes emotional effects that linger long after the incident itself,” he said.
Forensic Investigator testifies
Matthew Gounden, a forensic investigator at The Foschini Group (TFG), told the court during trial that the businesses suffered a total loss of R8.1 million as a direct result of the syndicate's actions. Gounden said the business incurred high additional costs to upgrade CCTV systems and deploy additional security guards across stores to prevent further incidents.
“Staff members were injured during the robberies and remain severely traumatised. Several employees have since left the business due to the trauma experienced. The accused have shown no remorse for their actions throughout the proceedings,” he said.
Gounden said the business suffered a considerable loss of income due to operational disruptions and store closures linked to the robberies. He said victim support and counseling were given to staff.
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