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In September 2017, a group of heavily armed men invaded the Fidelity Security Service premises in Vryheid, holding the security guards up at gunpoint.
After ensuring the guards were incapacitated, the men made off with more than R12 million. This led to an intensive investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team from Richards Bay and Newcastle, resulting in the arrest of Mbuyiseni Mthembu not long after the incident.
Following his arrest, it was discovered that Mthembu, who was a security guard, colluded with his friends to commit the crime.
Two years later, in September 2019, another suspect, Mgeyi Gumede, was arrested and has remained in custody throughout the trial. He was eventually convicted in February and sentenced on Tuesday, 2 March 2021, to 15 years imprisonment.
He will be joining his co-accused, Mthembu, who is already serving his sentence for his part in the crime. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Lesetja Senona, commended the investigating and prosecuting teams for an outstanding job. He encouraged them to continue with their efforts to ensure that justice is served.
What are your thoughts on the crime and the subsequent sentencing? Share your views in the comment section below.
