FIVE men who were found guilty of a housebreaking in Seaview in 2008 were sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday.
Judge Phakamisa Tshiki sentenced Mzukisi Bangiso, 27, Siyabulela Gxasheka, 23, Vusumzi Mbola, 20, Lilly Nangu, 18, and Siyabulela Pisani, 18, to eight years each while Gxasheka received an additional three years' imprisonment for an assault charge and Pisani received an additional five years' imprisonment for sexual assault.
The owner of the home was stabbed six times by Gxasheka.
His identity has been withheld to protect the identity of his teenage daughter, whom Pisani attempted to rape.
"None of them apologised for what they have done. They have accepted their punishment and they must pay the price for their actions. But they almost killed me and they almost raped my daughter and that will always stay with us," he said.
On January 3 2008, the five suspects broke into the victims' home in Seaview while the family were asleep. They gained entry through a window.
They woke the family up, tied their hands together and demanded bank cards and money before the assaults took place.
The suspects fled with a laptop, two watches, a chain, a wallet containing R30, three cellphones and clothing.
Shortly afterwards they were apprehended by security guards and the goods were recovered. They were identified during an identity parade.
"I also think that the process to have them sentenced was very slow. Iam glad they are sentenced now but I believe this should have happened years ago," the homeowner said.
