Cape Town - A self-confessed criminal who was part of a R4 million Sassa heist has been sentenced to eight years behind bars after pleading guilty in the Khayelitsha Priority Crimes Court.
More than seven years after a robbery at Shoprite in Parow, Yamkela Jacobs, 35, has been convicted for his role in the heist.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said that during the robbery on February 1, 2017, nine men approached the security guards at the staff entrance of the retail store.
“The suspects pointed firearms at the guards and entered the shop. The staff members were forced into the staff room. They were then searched by the suspects. All the cellphones of the staff members were robbed from them and placed in a bag.
“The suspects demanded to see the manager. The manager was then threatened with firearms. He was then taken to his office where the drop safe was. Once in the office, the suspects demanded money.”
Hani said the manager told the suspects there was no money in the safe and they proceeded to take the money that was destined for the tills and placed it in bags.
But after they were threatened, the manager further revealed there was money destined for Sassa payouts in that day.
“The suspects then threatened the manager further. He then showed them where the grant money (Sassa) was kept.
“The suspects took an amount of approximately R4m and also placed it in bags.
“The suspects then fled the scene. The case was investigated and arrests were effected, four suspects were apprehended.”
Jacobs was arrested alongside Melikhaya Dlakavu, Sphiwo Toba and Thulile Peter.
The group were charged with 13 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Jacobs changed his plea to guilty and was subsequently sentenced to 12 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, of which four years was suspended for five years.
For the remaining counts of robbery he also received a 12-year sentence, of which four years was suspended for five years.
While he received a combined sentence of 24 years, he will serve an effective eight years in prison and was declared unfit possess a firearm.
The case against the remaining three suspects was postponed to September 17 for the appointment of Legal Aid lawyers.
Provincial head of Hawks, Mathipa Makgato, commended the work of the team.
“Having realised the risk in pursuing armed robbers, the members remained committed to the cause of protecting lives.
“Through their relentless pursuit of the suspects, the accused is now removed from society and justice has been served,” Makgato said.
mahita.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus