Carmen and Kensley Kolbee, a divorced couple from Cape Town, have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for their involvement in a 2014 bank robbery, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Thousands of teaching posts to be cut in the Western Cape
The sentencing took place on Tuesday at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court.
The Kolbees were convicted for conspiring to rob the Standard Bank branch in Kuils River, where Carmen was the branch manager at the time.
The robbery, which occurred in November 2014, was carried out with Carmen’s inside knowledge of the bank’s operations.
Prosecutor Christiaan de Jongh detailed that the Kolbees were struggling financially and sought to remedy their situation through the robbery.
Kensley, who ran an electrical company, enlisted his then-brother-in-law Ebrahim Isaacs to assist in the crime. Isaacs, in turn, recruited Samorien Hattas, Leroy Ackerman and Afzal Kazie to execute the heist.
Find your perfect set of wheels with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, Kazie agreed to testify against the Kolbees in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Isaacs, Hattas, and Ackerman also reached plea and sentencing agreements with the State, agreeing to testify against the Kolbees for reduced sentences.
The trial, which began in September 2017, concluded on 21 June 2024, after more than 20 witnesses provided evidence.
Ntabazalila confirmed, ‘The accused were convicted of the charge preferred against them and were sentenced to 15 years of direct imprisonment.’
According to News24, the arrests of the Kolbees occurred during pre-dawn raids in Athlone in September 2016. These arrests followed the armed robbery at the bank, where the perpetrators forced their way in as staff were arriving, took the staff hostage, and made off with over R500 000.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
Also read:
Surfer Paul Sampson’s journey from homelessness to the US Open
Picture: Leon Botha / Gallo Images
