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KZN armed robber gets two life sentences for farm murders

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The Madadeni High Court in Newcastle has sentenced an armed robber, who was part of a gang that shot two people dead and wounded others on a farm in Swart Umfolozi, to two life sentences.

After pleading guilty to the charges or murder, attempted murder and robbery on Wednesday, the high court convicted and sentenced Thulani Hloniphani Sibiya, 38. He was slapped with two life terms and a total of 40 years imprisonment for his role in the crimes

Captain Nqobile Gwala of the South African Police Service said last year on 19 April, the Van Rooyen’s were attacked on their farm by a group of heavily armed males who fired multiple gunshots at the family and robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash.

“Ronnie Lombard and William Van Rooyen were fatally shot whereas other two family members sustained serious gunshot wounds,” recalled the captain.

“A case of two counts of murder, attempted murder and house robbery was opened at Gluckstadt Police Station investigations led to the arrest of seven suspects who were charged, taken to court and kept in custody.”

Captain Gwala said Sibiya pleaded guilty to all the charges .

“He was sentenced to life imprisonment for each murder, 15 years for two counts of attempted murder, 15 years for armed robbery and 10 years for kidnapping.”

Six other suspects in the case remain in custody. Their trial has been set to begin mid April 2018.

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