Attackers get 18yrs

2003-08-22 08:47

Annelie Muller

Port Elizabeth - Four men have been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for a brutal attack on a Port Elizabeth man.

Clive Hardy, 59, was assaulted and robbed near the Scribante race track following a sex act with a prostitute in May last year.

Hardy said in evidence that he had stopped to urinate in the bush along the road when he was overpowered.

His skull was fractured when his attackers squirted something into his eyes and hit him over the head. They then robbed him and sped off in his luxury car. They also stole his wedding ring.

Margaret Madondile, 26, said in evidence that she had followed Hardy into the bush. She said that they "had a relationship of some kind".

She was paid R20 to perform a sexual act. She added that they had done something similar in the past. Afterwards the men pounced and Madondile dropped the R20 and was pushed into the car.

Police later found the money on the scene.

Regional magistrate, Gert Steyn, said it had been quite a while since he had heard evidence from a credible witness such as Madondile. He said she was quite open about the reason why she and Hardy had been in the bush.

The men ran off the road trying to flee from the police. One of them, Phumzile Soetland, 18, apparently ran into a salt pan, but was forced to turn back when he realised it was too deep.

Sivuyile Dyanti, 18, Sebenzile Nzungu, 19, Phumzile Tolose, 18, and Soetland were each sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for robbery with extenuating circumstances.

- Die Burger