Three Eastern Cape criminals have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment each for their part in an armed robbery at Willowvale, in which a policeman was killed.
Thirty seven year-old Lucas Mate, 34 year-old Gada Kwutsa and 35 year-old Malindi Kina were found guilty and sentenced this week in the Mthatha High Court.
They committed the robbery in January 2009 at the Ciko Store in Willowvale, and targetted a pay point for pensioners.
Police captain Jackson Manatha says they took an undisclosed amount of money and shot and killed a policeman as they fled the scene.
One of the robbers was also killed in the shoot out.
Manatha says the accused were found guilty of murder, robbery and the unlawful possession and use of firearms and ammunition.
