The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured effective 20-year prison sentences for two men convicted of the 2022 robbery of a U-Bank branch in Dutywa in the Eastern Cape.
Dumisani Duma, 38, and Makabongwe Mthongana Mkhize, 37, were sentenced in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Mthatha after being convicted of murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of attempted murder, as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The court imposed sentences ranging from five to 15 years for the various offences. Some sentences were ordered to run concurrently while others were served consecutively, resulting in an effective 20 years’ direct imprisonment for each accused.
The case relates to a robbery at the U-Bank branch in Dutywa on 3 November 2022, when Duma and Mkhize, together with their deceased accomplice, Lungile Jamiso, allegedly entered the bank armed with firearms.
The court heard that the trio had conspired to rob the bank and had armed themselves to overcome resistance. During the robbery, employees were threatened at gunpoint and approximately R600 000 in cash was stolen. One of the bank employees was also used as a human shield during the getaway.
The robbers later hijacked a vehicle after assaulting and threatening its owner. A pursuit involving police and members of the public followed and ended near the Beyele turn-off in the Ngcobo area.
A shootout then broke out between the suspects and police. Jamiso was fatally wounded, while Duma and Mkhize were arrested at the scene. The stolen money was recovered.
Despite the evidence presented against them, both accused pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.
Senior State Advocate Mduduzi Mzila led evidence from more than 15 witnesses, which resulted in the pair being convicted on all charges.
In aggravation of sentence, the court noted that both men were on parole for previous cash-in-transit robbery convictions when they committed the offences.
The NPA welcomed the sentences, saying the outcome demonstrates the justice system’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.
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