By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (41) was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Carnarvon Regional Court for house robbery and theft. On 25 April 2023, two elderly citizens, Hendriena Janetta Jacobs (78) and Pieter Daniel Jacobs (80), were attacked, assaulted and robbed in their home at Magrieta Prinsloo street, Carnarvon.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said at the time of the incident, the accused, Martiens Koopman, was wearing a balaclava mask covering his face. Shemane said during the commotion in the house, Pieter Daniel Jacobs struck the accused with a knob-kerrie on the head in an attempt to defend himself.
“The accused fled the scene with valuable items and a cell phone. The victims managed to escape and drove to the hospital to receive medical treatment and alerted the police.
“During the same day, the police received a complaint from a community member about a man, who was selling a cell phone in Bonteheuwel, Carnarvon and swiftly responded. The suspect, who had a wound to his head, was identified and the cell phone reported stolen was found in his possession,” he said.
Shemane further said Koopman was subsequently arrested. He added that the complainant positively identified the cell phone, as well as the other valuable items taken by the accused during the robbery.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the members of Carnarvon Visible Policing for their swift response, as well as the community members, who provided the police with valuable information. Otola applauded the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Ashton Seekoei and the Prosecuting team for securing the conviction.
The Guardian 