By REGINALD KANYANE
12 March 2026 – A man (25) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Victoria West Regional Court for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 13 August 2025, when the accused robbed a victim (12) of R200, while the child was on his way to a supermarket in Victoria West to purchase groceries.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said it is reported that the accused approached the victim and demanded money. Litabe said when the victim indicated that he did not have any money, the accused produced an Okapi knife and pressed it against the victim’s chest.
“The accused then searched the victim and took the R200 note that was intended for groceries. After committing the robbery, he instructed the victim to run and not look back. The victim complied with the instruction, but managed to observe a distinctive tattoo on the side of the suspect’s neck, which later proved to be a crucial detail in tracing the suspect.
“Upon arriving at home, the victim reported the incident to his guardian, who subsequently informed the police. A case of robbery with aggravating circumstances was registered at Victoria West Police Station and assigned to Detective Sergeant Mojalefa Mokitimi for investigation,” he said.
Litabe further said through meticulous investigative work, the detective successfully traced and arrested the suspect. He added that the accused appeared in court on several occasions until the case was finalised on 10 March 2026, when he was convicted and sentenced.
“In addition to the sentence, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” said Litabe.
Meanwhile, the Pixley ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, welcomed the sentence and commended Mokitimi for his dedication and commitment in ensuring that the accused was held accountable for his criminal actions.
The Guardian 