Victim says long sentence of assailant suits him well

The sentencing of notorious armed robber Fhumulani Erick Rambau, who shot and injured a local businessman before robbing him of his cell phone and R40 000 two years ago, was hailed a blow to criminals in the area.

Rambau (40) of Tshisahulu-Siawoadza outside Thohoyandou was sentenced to 26 years' imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances by the Sibasa Regional Court.

The robbery happened in 2013. It is believed he and his accomplice lay in wait at the businessman’s house at Maniini while another accomplice tailed him in a car from his business at Shayandima in the early hours of 12 May 2013.

They shot at him and he lost control of his car and ended up hitting the gate. At the gate the businessman, who is the owner of a well-known drinking joint, Migeroni Restaurant, had his car window broken and the robbers demanded money at gunpoint. They robbed him of cash, which was in a cooler box.

The businessman was seriously injured after being shot several times in the chest and arm.

Reacting after the sentencing, Thohoyandou police spokesperson Constable Avhafarei Tshiovhe said they were satisfied with the sentence. “It will serve as a deterrent and those with thoughts of getting involved in crime would think twice before doing so. We hope this will send a clear message to all out there that crime does not pay,” he said.

The victim, Takalani Lawrence Masindi (40), said the sentence was a relief to him. “These guys nearly took my life; they sprayed my car with bullets and pumped five bullets into my body. It is just luck that I am still alive, but I still have one of the bullets in my body and have to undergo constant checkups all the time,” he said.

He said they did not deserve to live outside as they were a menace to society.

News - Date: 24 August 2015

Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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