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For Mwangi Githahu 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – The Stellenbosch regional court sentenced two men to 23 years in prison for the attack on berry farmer Raymond O’Grady and his wife Betty at their Hillcrest Berry farm in the Cape Winelands district in August last year. .
Magistrate Fezile Tonisi found the two, Manilisi Sphuhle, 26, and Luthando Ngam, 31, guilty on three separate charges.
The charges were robbery with attempted robbery, aggravated robbery and assault with intent to seriously injure.
For the first charge, both received 15 years in prison, on the second charge, the penalty was three years in prison and the third charge carried a penalty of 15 years in prison that together reached 33 years in prison.
However, the court ordered that 10 of the years for the third count would run at the same time as the 15 years to serve the first count, effectively ensuring that they serve 23 years behind bars.
During the attack, Sphuhle and Ngam took R7 000 in cash, a watch, a gold ring, an iPhone and a Toyota Hilux bakkie.
Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer said: “I congratulate SAPS and the National Tax Authority on the successful arrest, conviction and sentencing of the attackers of Raymond O’Grady and his wife, Betty.”
“I also celebrate the sentence of 23 years of effective prison passed. It points out that those who attack our farming communities will be treated harshly and with all the rigor of the law. Rural security is a key priority in the Western Cape, ”Meyer said.
“Any attack on the farming community is an attack on our rural economy. We will not tolerate attacks against our farmers and farm workers, ”Meyer said.
Cape argus
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