The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, express his gratitude to the police officers of the Organised Crime Unit for the thorough investigation that led to the successful conviction of bank followers and murderers.
Bongani Thabani Ndlovu is aged 35 and Jabulani Meli Dlamini aged 41 was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mr Ockert Ralph at a plot in Lanseria, Johannesburg, in 2018.
They were also found guilty of armed robbery and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment; possession of an unlicensed firearm – 10 years imprisonment and possession of ammunition – 10 years imprisonment. The sentences will run concurrently.
0n 07 May 2018, Ockert aged 64 then, went to Fourways Mall where he withdrew a large amount of cash. He drove to Lanseria plot not knowing that he was being followed. At the gate, he was accosted by two men who shot at him before robbing him cash, cellphone, and wallet. He was certified dead at the scene.
The Commander of Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, Brigadier (Adv) Modise, assigned the docket to the seasoned Warrant Officer Abie Montwedi for further investigation.
In a few months, Warrant Officer Montwedi and his team cracked down on suspects. Ndlovu and Dlamini were arrested in Vereeniging while planning to commit another bank associated robbery.
The thorough and intensive investigation led to the conviction of both the accused at Johannesburg High Court on 23 June 2020.
The Provincial Commissioner commended Brigadier Modise, Warrant Officer Montwedi, and the rest of the Organised Crime Unit for the sterling work in ensuring that bank followers are permanently put behind bars.
“I want to thank the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit and all the members that worked on the case. It is through their efforts and dedicated commitment that these dangerous criminals are permanently behind bars,” said Lieutenant General Mawela.