GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — When Isaac Noble Jacobs threatened Angelina Cakani (32) of Graaff-Reinet with a knife, he didn’t know that his actions would see him sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

She was walking home near Stinkdraai in Graaff-Reinet with her day’s wages when he confronted her. He demanded her purse; when she demurred, he produced a knife and threatened to stab her. She then handed over her bag containing her Identity Book and R150 in cash.

Within 24 hours, Detective Warrant Officer “Blikkies” Blignaut had arrested Jacobs. He recovered Cakani’s purse and Identity Book after Jacobs pointed out where he had disposed of them.

Last week Regional Court Magistrate Tobie Gerber sentenced Jacobs to 15 years imprisonment. He found in his judgment that by threatening Cekani with a knife, what may otherwise have been a common robbery became instead robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The Law prescribes a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment for such offences. The R150 represented a day’s wages for Cakani; for Jacobs, the wages of his sin turned out to be 15 years.

Graaff-Reinet Regional Court Prosecutor Siebert Baartman was very pleased with the sentence. “I hope this heavy sentence deters others who prey on the innocent”, he said.

He also praised the Investigating Officer, “Warrant Officer Blignaut performed sterling work in this case. My success in court was based on the co-operation of members of the community who came forward with information and on his excellent and speedy investigation.”

Warrant Officer Blignaut, a police veteran with 32 years’ experience, was overjoyed at the successful conclusion of the case.

“The gratitude of the victim in this case made me very proud to be a police officer,” he said. “She had been severely traumatised by the violence she experienced and the sense of closure after the sentence brought, I believe, significant healing to her.”

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