Man sentenced for robbing a retail store in Parow, 7 years ago

One of four suspects who robbed a Shoprite store in Parow, seven years ago, has been sentenced to 24 years behind bars by the Khayelitsha Priority Court.

35-year-old Yamkela Sima Jacobs will serve eight years of direct imprisonment, with the remainder of the sentence being suspended.

PICTURE: Pixabay

Hawks spokesperson in the Western Cape, Zinzi Hani, explained that the men entered the shop and took R4 million that was meant to pay social grant beneficiaries, as well as money that was meant for the tills at the shop and the cellphones of the employees

‘’It is reported that on 01 February 2017, nine African males approached security guards at the back of the staff entrance of Shoprite in Parow. The suspects pointed firearms at the guards and entered the shop. The staff members were forced into the staff room. They were then searched by the suspects. All the cell phones of the staff members were robbed from them and placed in a bag. The suspects demanded to see the manager. The manager was then threatened with firearms. He was then taken to his office where the drop safe was.’’

‘’Once in the office, the suspects demanded money. He told the suspects that there was no money in the safe. The suspects then took the money that was destined for the tills and placed it in bags. The suspects then threatened the manager further. He then showed them where the grant money (SASSA) was kept. The suspects took an amount of approximately R4 million and also placed it in bags,’’ she added.

Hani said the suspects then fled the scene. However, four suspects were apprehended at a later stage.

Yamkela Sima Jacobs (35), Melikhaya Johnson Dlakavu (44), Sphiwo Toba (40) and Thulile Peter (58), were charged with 13 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

On 29 August 2024, Jacobs changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on all charges.

He was sentenced as follows:

Count 1: Robbery with aggravating circumstances: sentenced to twelve (12) years imprisonment, of which four (4) years  is suspended for a period of five (5) years. 

Count 2-13: Robbery with aggravating circumstances: sentenced to twelve (12) years imprisonment of which four (4) years is suspended for a period of five (5) years. 

In terms of Section 280 (2) of the Criminal Procedures Act, Act 51 of 1977, it was further ordered that the sentence imposed on counts 2 to 13 will run concurrently with the sentence imposed on count 1.

‘’Effectively, the accused will serve eight (8) years  direct imprisonment.  He was further declared  unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000.’’

Hani says the trial of the 3 alleged accomplices continues on 17 September for legal aid.

Done By: Mitchum George