Mediclinic Durbanville armed robber sentenced to 27 years
Police registered a case of business robbery after an armed robbery at Mediclinic Durbanville.
Image: Supplied
Western Cape SAPS management has welcomed the hefty sentence handed to Nelson "Nkwenkwe" Dyantyi, who was arrested nearly three years ago following an armed robbery at Mediclinic Durbanville.
On August 31, 2023, Dyantyi entered the private hospital through a back window and threatened patients and staff with a firearm.
He robbed them of their cellphones, laptops and wallets then fled.
Police spokesperson, Ndakhe Gwala, said Dyantyi was subsequently sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
"The matter was reported to Durbanville police and assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Heiny Marais, who through thorough investigation, identified the culprit.
"Shortly after, a tracing operation was conducted, which resulted in the arrest of Nelson Dyantyi and his bail was successfully opposed.
"After a lengthy trial, the accused was convicted on the charge of armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition."
At the time of the incident, an eyewitness - a mother, recounted on Facebook that she was with her children.
“I was there with my kids in a room. The man was definitely on something, I saw it in his face. He walked 5m away, past me, but luckily did not see me.
“One of my children and another mom with her child locked them inside our bathroom next to our room.
“I ran and grabbed my other child out of bed and we went to hide in another back room, listening to this crazy man making a noise while he walked down the passage pointing his gun at each window. Then he turned around and came back past us and climbed out through the same bathroom window he came in.
“Parents were hiding under their hospital beds with their kids, terrified. Just thankful he did not shoot.”
The chief clinical officer of Mediclinic Southern Africa at the time, said: “Mediclinic can confirm that an unfortunate incident occurred on the evening of August 31 at Mediclinic Durbanville, where an individual gained access to the hospital and stole valuables of visitors and family members of patients. The individual was armed, but this was later identified as a BB gun by a witness.
“We can confirm that no individuals were physically harmed during the incident and that we will provide the necessary support and counselling to those impacted by the event.”