MALAMULELE – A resident of Mtititi Village, Gibson Shangwane (24), was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment without the option of a fine after he had been found guilty of armed robbery and attempted murder.

It was found that Shangwane went to Mdavula Village during the night of July 18 last year. He found a group of people drinking beer inside a zozo hut.

He then produced a firearm and shot and injured a number of the occupants for the house. Shangwane subsequently robbed the people of their personal belongings and cash and later vanished into the surrounding bushes, leaving behind the victims who were screaming for help.

The injured people were taken to the Malamulele Hospital for medical treatment. Shangwane was a free man for several months until the police received information that the man who had caused all the havoc at Mdavula village was a certain Mzamani Shangwane who stayed at Mtititi village.

The police traced him and Shangwane finally found himself behind bars. He was charged with armed robbery and aempted murder. The case was heard in the local magistrate's court before it was transferred to the Malamulele Regional Court, where it was finalised last Friday.

He was sentenced to 40 years in jail without the option of a fine. In the statement, which was released early this week, the police have praised the justice system for what they described as "the job well done" saying the sentence will serve as a deterrent to criminals-to-be.