Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
26 August 2024
The duo appeared before Bethal Magistrate’s Court on 05 August 2024 facing charges of unlawful possession of firearm and house-breaking and theft.
The sentencing of accused Sifundo Clive Owen Nkosi(29) and Clement Vusimuzi Sikhosana(29) came after thorough investigation by investigating officers from Bethal and Mzinoni respectively.
On the day of sentencing, the investigating officers informed the court that on the day of the arrest of the accused, they were found in possession of suspected stolen property which belonged to the then police officer and happened that the accused unlawfully and internationally broke into, entered an apartment in July 2019 and stole a laptop, firearm and clothing items.
When asked about the firearm and the laptop, the accused informed the police that the bought them from someone though they did not know where the person resides.
Further investigation by both teams led the police in recovering more items stolen by the accused during house-breaking they committed.
The investigating officers also realized that one of the accused, Sifundo Owen Nkosi(29)committed house-breaking with the intention to commit crime in April 2022 while he was on bail for the same offence.
The sentence was passed and ruled as follows:
Accused 1(Clement Vusimuzi Sikhosana, 29) was found guilty and sentenced to eleven(11)years direct imprisonment.
– Count 1(Possession of firearm): 5(five) years direct imprisonment
– Count 2(Possession of ammunition): 1(one) year direct imprisonment
– Count 3(House-breaking and theft): 5(five) years direct imprisonment
Accused 2(Sifundo Clive Owen Nkosi) was found guilty and sentenced to 6(Six) years direct imprisonment as follows:
– Count 1(Possession of firearm): 5(five) years direct imprisonment
– Count 2(Possession of ammunition): 1(one) year direct imprisonment
The court ordered that sentences run concurrently and In terms of Section 103 Act 60/2000 of firearm control act, both accused are declared unfit to possess firearms.
