Port Elizabeth - Six men convicted for murder and robbery were sentenced to lengthy jail terms by the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Friday, Eastern Cape police said.
The men were aged between 33 and 40, said Brigadier Marinda Mills.
Patrick Ntsume was jailed for 33 years, Unathi Wana for 30, Vukile Ngcangisa for 27, Luyanda Njokweni for 25, Madoda Dopla Nube for 23 and Xolani Edward Nanto for six years.
The men, excluding Nanto, were found guilty on six counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of firearms and robbery with aggravating circumstances, said Mills.
Nanto was given six years for robbery.
They were arrested in 2011 when police received information about a planned robbery of a bakkie carrying platinum, she said.
“Thirteen men attacked the bakkie and once they realised that police were present they began to fire shots at the members.”
Mills said the police shot back and six of the men were killed.
Eastern Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Celiwe Binta commended the police for the arrest of the men.
“I would like to commend those members who worked tirelessly to ensure that those who were involved in this crime were exposed.”
Sapa