22 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ARMED ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING

NORTH WEST: John Oupa Zwane (44) has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after he was found guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal possession of a firearm by the Rustenburg Regional Court on 31 January 2017.
On 11 August 2009, Zwane and two other suspects approached a security officer working for Protea Coin, pointed him with a firearm and dragged him to nearby bushes where they tied him with a cable and robbed him of his firearm. Investigation ensued and the three were arrested.
The other two suspects; Godfrey Bila(38) and Steve Moseko (56) were released after they were found not guilty. Zwane will serve 15 years for armed robbery, four years for kidnapping and a further 3 years for possession of unlicensed firearm. .
In a separate matter the Klerksdorp District Court has sentenced Kgotso Welcome Maragelo (43) to three (3) years imprisonment on condition that he pays the amount of R125 913.35 to SARS after he was found guilty of theft.
Maragelo, a former employee of SARS, stole money from SARS by using e-filling system to claim income tax refunds which he was not entitled to receive. He changed the banking details of the individual income tax payers without their permission and directed the monies to his personal bank account.
The sentences were warmly welcomed by the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Mbana who applauded the investigating officers for putting out all stop in their quest to attain conviction. “When we investigate we always aim to put criminals behind bars and ensure that justice is served. When sentences like these ones are handed down by our courts we rejoice knowing that victims will find closure with our members getting the recognition they deserve”, Major General Mbana said.