Cape Town - Eight years after stealing R520 000 from the bank branch where she was employed, a former bank manager has been sentenced to prison, along with her husband and three others.
Carmen Kolbee, was the branch manager at the Standard Bank in Kuils River at the time of her arrest in 2016.
On Friday, August 23, 2024, Kolbee along with her estranged husband, Kensley Kolbee were each sentenced to 15 years behind bars for their role in the heist.
Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority explained: “I can confirm they were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment each on Friday.”
The husband-and-wife duo were convicted last month after appearing at the Blue Down’s Regional Court.
The State proved Carmen had been the mastermind behind the heist and that they had planned to steal R3 million from the bank but only managed to get away with R520000.
It had been Kensley’s role to recruit three others, namely Ebrahm Isaacs, Samoska Hattes and Leroy Ackerman to help with the robbery.
The trio entered into a plea and sentence agreement soon after being charged and were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Previously, Ntabazalila confirmed that the trio were sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment in exchange for testifying against the couple.
A relative of the bank robbers who asked not to be identified said they were relieved the case was finally over.
“We are satisfied that they were sentenced but we were not sure if it was 15 years’ imprisonment for each and to which prisons they were being sent,” said the family member.
“We as family are still interested in what happens with them.”
genevieve.serra@inl.co.za
Cape Argus