By BAKANG MOKOTO
29 October 2026 – Ten serial business robbers were sentenced to 245 years imprisonment by the Durban Regional Court for a spate of business robberies committed between 2017 and 2019 in various areas around Durban. During the commission of the offences, Thabiso Mdletshe (30), Philani Magongo (32), Wonder Brilliant Mcwabe (31), Michael Nxumalo (34), Khanyisani Thusi (35), Lindani Ndlovu (38), Thokozani Mdlalose (28), Sandile Ngcobo (32), Sabelo Shandu (34) and Andile Mchunu (31), would enter businesses pretending to be customers before producing firearms and threatening security guards and employees. They would then flee with cash, cell phones, clothing, and other items.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Kwazulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said following the registration of several robbery cases, the investigating team traced and arrested the men in 2019. Ramkisson-Kara said most of them were already in custody in connection with other matters.
“During the trial, the state prosecutor Surekha Marimuthu led the evidence of 27 witnesses, including fingerprint and facial recognition experts whose evidence linked the accused to the offences. In aggravation of sentence, Marimuthu told the court that the offences were well-orchestrated and serious. She argued that the armed robberies were committed during the day, exposing members of the public, employees and security personnel to threats of violence and potential harm.
“Marimuthu also led the evidence of an employee from The Foschini Group (TFG) Limited, to which most of the affected businesses belong. The witness testified that the businesses suffered losses amounting to several million rand as a result of the robberies. Additional expenditure was also incurred to strengthen security measures, while employees were severely traumatised by the incidents,” she said.
Ramkisson-Kara further said Thabiso Mdletshe was sentenced to an effective 41 years imprisonment, Philani Magongo will serve 10 years imprisonment, Wonder Brilliant Mcwabe will serve 31 years imprisonment, while Michael Nxumalo will serve an effective 24 years imprisonment. She added that Khanyisani Thusi will serve an effective 18 years imprisonment, Lindani Ndlovu will serve 18 years imprisonment, Thokozani Mdlalose will serve an effective 30 years imprisonment and Sandile Ngcobo will serve an effective 21 years imprisonment.
“Sabelo Shandu will serve an effective 25 years imprisonment and Andile Mchunu will serve an effective 27 years imprisonment. The effective sentences imposed on the 10 men amount to a combined 245 years’ imprisonment. The NPA welcomes the sentences.
“Business robberies not only endanger employees, customers and security personnel, but also inflict significant financial losses on businesses and negatively affect the economy. The NPA remains committed to vigorously prosecuting perpetrators of serious and violent crime without fear, favour or prejudice,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
