A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court after being found guilty of threatening and robbing two girls while they were walking home from school.
AN ACCUSED, Jason Masilo, 27 has been sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court after being found guilty of threatening and robbing two girls while they were walking home from school.
On the day of the incident on February 21, 2021, Masilo and two other men approached the girls while armed with sheep shears and a knife.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said on Tuesday that Masilo and his accomplices robbed one of the complainants of her cellphone before running away.
“The police were alerted and Masilo was arrested a few minutes later, with a knife in his possession,” said Senokoatsane.
He added that during the trial, the regional court prosecutor Dineo Mathule highlighted the violent nature of the crime, where dangerous weapons were used.
“The prosecutor argued that the court, when considering the personal circumstances of the accused, should also consider the interest of the complainants, as the accused used sheep scissors and a knife to rob defenceless children. She pointed out that both the complainants were minors who were walking home from school when they were approached and robbed by the accused.
“Mathule stated that the accused never showed any remorse, while the complainant who was robbed never recovered her cellphone. She reminded the court to consider the emotional trauma experienced by the complainants.”
Senokoatsane added that the court agreed that Masilo should have regarded the complainants that he targeted as vulnerable and in need of protection at all times.
“The court acknowledged that the accused conducted himself inhumanly on the day of the incident. The accused was found guilty on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and assault by threat. He was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
