Roodepoort men jailed in Mossel Bay for "explosives"

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Four Roodepoort men have been jailed for an effective six years following their conviction in a Mossel Bay court for housebreaking and possession of explosives.

Police spokesperson, captain Bernadine Steyn, says the men were sentenced on Wednesday to 10 years imprisonment each of which four years were suspended for a period of five years.

The accused Juma Nazir, Sibangani Ncube, Isufo Ussumani, and Nelson Cossa
were arrested in Tembalethu by members of the Hawks in George following an attempt to burgle a fast food outlet in August.

"During the early hours of the morning on Monday 20 August 2012 between 03:00 and 04:00 a housebreaking occurred at a fast food outlet in Mayixhale Street, Kwanonqaba. Entry was gained through the roof and the ATM inside was packed with commercial explosives and a detonator. The alarm was activated and when the owner and security company opened the door the suspects fled before the detonator could be activated," Steyn said.

"The next morning on 21 August 2012 at about 07:00 four men aged between 25 and 35 years were arrested at a house in Zone 7, Thembalethu. A Toyota Conquest stationed on the premises was also searched and in the bumper near the boot more commercial explosives were found," she added.

"We are pleased with the sentences handed down to these criminals, which should serve as a warning to others that serious and violent crimes remain high on our priority list," Steyn said.