Duo sentenced for robbery with aggravating circumstances in Sasolburg

Share the Article:

Two men were convicted and sentenced for robbery with aggravating circumstances, following a violent attack on a female hitchhiker in September 2020 by the Sasolburg regional court.

On the day of the incident, the victim accepted a lift from the accused, Julius Mashea, 39, and Peter Chenene, 43, who was driving a silver-grey Jetta, after she had withdrawn money at the Vaal Mall in Vanderbijlpark.

According to Free State National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, along the way, the men threatened her with a knife and forced her to transfer money via a banking application before robbing her of her cellphone and cash.

Adding that the complainant was further threatened at gunpoint before being forced out of the vehicle in Vaalpark.

“Despite the trauma, the complainant was able to positively identify the assailants and their vehicle. Members of the Sasolburg Highway Patrol, assisted by the Sedibeng K9 Unit, later intercepted the car.

Link to another similar robbery

“A knife was found inside, and both men were arrested. They were also linked to another similar robbery in the area,” he explained.

Senokoatsane revealed that during the trial, the defence challenged the admissibility of the identification parade, but the court dismissed their version, finding the complainant and police witnesses to be credible.

He continued; “The court further noted that the accused acted in furtherance of a common purpose, targeted a vulnerable woman, and committed the crime out of greed despite being employed at the time.

“The presiding officer sentenced Mashea to 15 years’ direct imprisonment, with part of the sentence running concurrently with one he is already serving for a similar robbery, and Chenene to 12 years’ imprisonment. His application for leave to appeal was refused.”

ALSO READ | Former municipal manager’s killer sentenced to life

Senokoatsane said they welcomed the conviction and sentence, commending the courage of the complainant as well as the swift action by the police.