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PUT AWAY: William Mbatha at Johannesburg High Court. He was sentenced to 35 years behind bars for armed robbery and fraud. Photo: Mohau Mofokeng

THERE was excitement at the Johannesburg High Court this week when it was thought that William "King of Bling" Mbatha, who is serving a 35-year jail term for a litany of charges, was appealing his sentence.

However, when it turned out that it was not the Pretoria armed robber with a penchant for flashy cars, lavish parties and expensive clothes, the media and the public were disappointed.

The man who appeared before Judge Kathleen Satchwell at Court 2F was another William Mbatha, middle name "Themba", who is serving 59 years for armed robbery.

Themba, from Thokoza in Ekurhuleni, was found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

He was one of the gang that robbed a Fidelity Security vehicle in Westonaria on December 20 2006.

Security guard Moses Sehlolo and one robber, Pato Khoza, were killed during the robbery.

The court found in 2010 that Themba and others had rammed their Mercedes-Benz sedan into a Fidelity van transporting cash, causing it to overturn.

Eight other people were involved in the robbery, but there was no evidence linking them to the crime. Themba was the only one convicted for the crime.

Themba was granted leave to appeal the judgment and sentence.

Satchwell said: "I am convinced that a different court may come to a different conclusion."

Meanwhile, the King of Bling was found guilty of numerous crimes, including robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, possession of firearms and ammunition, posing as a police officer and unlawfully wearing a police uniform.

He was convicted of leading a "blue-light" gang that terrorised businessmen in Johannesburg in 2009.

During the King of Bling's trial, two businessmen testified how they were followed home and then had plastic bags placed over their heads until they surrendered thousands of rand in cash, watches and computers.

• This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 12 September 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition

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Mon May 20 01:32:19 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 13, 2012

KoosMotete

Crime dsnt pay.....Living an expensive lifestyle on other people's sorrows..ke motete nthoeo.
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Sep 13, 2012

Smi

Excitement for what now!!!hey bathobaso weeeee.
This is what was happening ko O.R Tambo airport
for paralympics,black ppl everywhr celebrating
I agree with Slikour "blacks r fo...?
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Sep 13, 2012

Tumzest

Realy now Smi...wat does dis have to do with the Paralympians? ruri
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Sep 13, 2012

dmstephen

EXACTLY THEY HAD A RIGHT TO BE EXCITED FOR DIGWELE TSA RONA I MEAN THEY DID WELL O_+
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Sep 13, 2012

lebenzo

KING OF BLING,BEAR IN MIND THAT THE HAND OF LAW IS VERY LONG AND PATIENT

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Sep 13, 2012

skwamasamabele

Just look at the arrogance in his face, good thing by the time he comes out, cars will be flying and he will be applying for a grave number, let alone no pension. He is f**ked, and he knows it
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Sep 13, 2012

Papage

Bitso lebe ke seromo, never name your child William Mbatha
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Sep 13, 2012

thabiso992000

35 years is nothing, look at this simple arithmetic 35*1/3=11years 6 months 7 days - good behaviour (4) or terminal illness (infinite). See simple
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Sep 13, 2012

Mrazane

eish thabiso992000 your calculations just depressed me... when will a sentence be what it is intended to be let 35 years be 35 years for good behaviour they can give an extra slice of bread.
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Sep 13, 2012

Nzwere

KoosMotete
Crime dsnt pay.....Living an expensive lifestyle on other people's sorrows..ke motete nthoeo.
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kwakwakwakwa o ra gore ke Koos nthoeo??kwakwakwakwa
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