Four Men Convicted for School Robberies in KwaZulu‑Natal

What Happened?

In early 2023 a group of four men pretended to be sponsors and entered several schools across KwaZulu‑Natal. Once inside, they pulled out guns, threatened teachers and staff, stole phones and forced victims to move money through banking apps.

The Accused

• Mthobisi Wonder Shozi
• Lebo Nhlakanipho Magwaza
• Brian Tyron Charles
• Sbonelo Sxolile Mkhulisi

How the Robberies Were Carried Out

Posing as Sponsors

The gang arrived at schools claiming they wanted to donate supplies or support programs. This gave them easy access to the premises.

Using Force

After gaining entry, they produced firearms, pointed them at teachers, and demanded valuables.

Details of Each Attack

Nazareth Elementary School – 2 February 2023

Magwaza ordered the principal to open her banking app. She only had about R100, so no transfer occurred. He then took her wedding ring and watch.

Edamini Primary School – 8 February 2023

The gang repeated the same tactic, stealing phones and cash from staff.

Tholulwazi Secondary School – 20 February 2023

• Shozi struck teacher Nhlanhla Mchunu three times in the face with a gun, causing heavy bleeding, and fired a shot inside the school.
• Magwaza hit teacher Maureen Mtshali in the temple and teacher Mthunzi Gabela in the back of the head.
• A student was forced at gunpoint to reveal her cell‑phone number.
• Seven employees were tied up with cables and locked in a vault for 30‑40 minutes.

Police Investigation

Get‑away Vehicle

The suspects used a gray Toyota Etios driven by Mkhulisi. Police later found a spare number plate hidden in the boot, which the driver said was used during the school visits.

Arrests

When officers arrived at Charles’s home, he tried to escape through a window but was later handed over by his father, a sergeant with Chatsworth SAPS.

Court Proceedings

Evidence and Witnesses

Prosecutor Rowan Souls presented a clear case. Magistrate Muntukayise Khumalo noted that the witnesses were consistent, honest, and reliable.

Defense Claims Rejected

The accused tried to offer alibis, but the judge said those alibis did not match the objective evidence. Shozi and Mkhulisi chose not to testify, while Magwaza and Charles took the stand but were found unreliable.

Comment on a Defense Witness

The judge described Magwaza’s girlfriend, who testified for the defense, as “a lying witness who wanted to help the accused get out of the mess he had gotten himself into.”

Additional Charges

The four men also face related charges in Camperdown and Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Courts for similar school robberies that allegedly used the same sponsorship ruse.

Current Status of Shozi

Shozi is already serving a prison sentence after pleading guilty to a robbery at Camperdown Magistrates’ Court.

What’s Next?

Magistrate Khumalo is expected to hand down sentences for the four men early next week.

Conclusion

This case shows how criminals can abuse trust by pretending to be helpers, then use violence to steal from schools. The quick work of police, clear testimony from victims and staff, and a firm court ruling have brought the perpetrators to justice. Schools and communities can stay safer by checking the identity of anyone claiming to be a sponsor and by reporting suspicious behaviour immediately.