Homeless robber pleads against ‘harsh’ sentence
ALEXANDRA – Homeless repeat robber pleads for leniency against' 'stiff'' sentence
A convict who had been sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2008 for robbery, but who was seemingly out on parole when arrested for a similar crime committed in November 2014 and of which he was convicted and sentenced to 17 years in June last year, appealed to the court for a review of his sentence.
Bongani Ngema, who is homeless, made his appeal to the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court. He was sentenced for the robbery of two other homeless people known to him, at an abandoned house in Rivonia. The court heard that he illuminated the place with his cellphone light and threatened them with a knife before robbing them of R880, two cellphones and a pair of sneakers.
The victims reported the incident to the police who arrested him after the victims had pointed him out at a nearby parking lot where he worked as a car guard. One of the stolen cellphones was found on him.
In his appeal given in person, Ngema said his rights were not read to him during his arrest; he was ignorant of the law; the Legal Aid Board didn’t represent him well; he was denied an opportunity to testify and to appeal; no reasonable evidence was presented; and he was not subjected to an identity parade.
He said the sentencing was harsh for a crime he claimed was not extreme and didn’t involve the use of a gun.
The court reserved judgment to a later date.
