Mpumalanga robber gets 16 years

Tonga - An Mpumalanga man who robbed a Pakistani shopkeeper at gunpoint was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment on Wednesday.

Magistrate Edgar Moletsane told the Boschfontein Regional Court that the testimony from a State witness was undisputed, a Sapa correspondent reported.

Celumusa Gideon Vilane, 24, of Naas near Komatipoort, had pleaded guilty to business robbery.

"Vilane, as you have pleaded guilty to the charge I also find you guilty as charged, and I sentence you to 16 years' imprisonment," said Moletsane.

Previously, the owner of the Royal Supermarket, Bilal Mustafa of Mdladla village near Malalane, testified that he recognised Vilane through CCTV footage.

"I saw him with three other men entering the shop and he was holding a gun in his hand," said Mustafa.

Mustafa said his shopkeeper Mohammed Nadeem was held up while he had gone to buy stock.

He said the attackers were able to get away with R3 000 cash and R4 000 worth of airtime. Goods that were stolen were never recovered.

Vilane was arrested on 2 November 2012.