A 42-year-old-man from Lesotho has been sentenced to 45 years in jail for an armed robbery he committed in May 2018.
Nkhasi Jeremia Mahao was sentenced to fifteen years for one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances, fifteen years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and fifteen years for attempted murder, with no option for parole. He was sentenced in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday (12/09). He has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
In 2018, five suspects robbed a Welkom petrol station of cash and stabbed one of the employees with a sharp weapon. Two suspects were arrested, but one man was later released due to lack of evidence connecting him to the crime.
During the robbery, an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and four cellphones were taken. One of the employees was stabbed with a knife, and sustained serious injuries.
The District Commissioner of Lejweleputswa, Maj Gen. Lerato Molale, praised Const. Martin Machesa of Serious and Violent Crimes for conducting a thorough investigation which led to this conviction.
