Cape Town Ex-Couple Receive 15-Year Sentences for 2014 Bank Heist

A Cape Town divorced couple, Carmen and Kensley Kolbee, were handed a 15-year prison sentence each for their involvement in a meticulously planned bank robbery that occurred nearly a decade ago. Their sentencing by the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court finally brings a close to a chapter that shook the local banking sector.

In 2014, the Kolbees, then in a dire financial situation, orchestrated a heist exploiting Carmen's position as the manager of the Standard Bank in Kuils River. The prosecution painted a picture of a couple desperate to escape their financial straits, but their actions would soon lead to severe consequences.

The robbery, characterized by a movie-like plot, was executed with the help of Carmen's insider information regarding the bank's operations, which facilitated the crime. Kensley Kolbee sought the involvement of his then-brother-in-law Ebrahim Isaacs, who then recruited Samorien Hattas, Leroy Ackerman and Afzal Kazie—the latter ultimately becoming a State witness.

The National Prosecuting Authority, with spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila at the forefront, confirmed that Afzal Kazie's testimony was crucial, as it led to the successful convictions of the Kolbees. Isaacs, Hattas, and Ackerman also came to plea and sentencing agreements, all in an effort to facilitate the law’s reach towards Carmen and Kensley Kolbee.

News24 reported that the resolution of the crime came with the arrests of the couple during the pre-dawn raids in Athlone in September 2016 – nearly two years after the offense. During the actual bank heist, the culprits stormed the bank as the staff arrived, leaving with hostages and a hefty sum of over R500,000.

This case stood out due to the long trial that began in 2017 and the over 20 witnesses that testified, shedding light on both the planning and execution phases of the heist. The conclusion of this trial marks a significant victory for South African law enforcement, which often battles sophisticated forms of criminal enterprises.

As the Kolbees begin to serve their sentences, their story serves as a reminder of the risks and eventual consequences faced by those who opt for such dire measures to solve financial problems. The sentencing concurrently assures the public that justice, even if at times slow, is nevertheless inexorable.