MOPANI –

This follows an incident that took place at the Phusela Plot No.4 in Tzaneen during the night of April 17, 2002, at about 22:40. The court heard that, during the night of the incident, the two accused proceeded to the plot of Mr Andrew Adams (72).

At that time, Mr Adams and his 65-year-old wife were asleep. The men broke in and started to attack Mr Adams and his wife. Mr Adams and his wife sustained serious injuries during the incident. After the attack, the men stole jewellery, firearms and cash. They later vanished in the surrounding bushes.

The accused were arrested several weeks after the incident. Their arrest was, according to the police statement, the result of the good relationship between the police and the local community.

All the stolen goods were recovered during their arrest. They appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court several times before the case was referred to the Tzaneen Regional Court, where they were each sentenced to an effective 65 year term of imprisonment.

In a statement released by the Mopani police earlier this week, they highly praised the justice system, saying the sentences will send a clear message to criminals-to-be that crime does not pay.