Investigators are incensed at Friday's 20-year prison sentence handed down to a policeman who pleaded guilty to the R7,3-million Pinetown SBV highway robbery.

Sergeant Pradesh Singh, 36, was sentenced to the lengthy jail term by Durban High Court Judge Hilary Squires, despite pleading guilty and volunteering to help police crack syndicates behind the SBV robberies - including the massive R31-million SBV heist at the Pinetown depot in 1996.

Even a plea for leniency by investigating officer Captain Martin Hall failed to sway the judge.

But Squires told Singh he could apply for a remission of his sentence after his evidence in other matters in which he has undertaken to testify, had been heard.

Now Singh's future co-operation in police investigations is also in jeopardy.

Singh's wife, Loshini, broke down in tears after the judgment.

Singh, who hours earlier appeared in the Durban Regional Court, said he was going to appeal against the "outrageous" judgment.

"This is total betrayal. Justice was not done here today," he said. "I am now having doubts whether I should testify and help police crack the outstanding SBV robberies."

Hall testified in mitigation that the normal minimum term of 15 years imprisonment for a first offender in armed robbery should not apply as Singh had come clean about the R7,3-million robbery and had promised to help police crack syndicates.

"We believe there is a syndicate operating from the Chatsworth police station," he told Squires.

"Singh is not part of the syndicate. He was one of the informers inside the station before this robbery. He has supplied me with information regarding the R31-million robbery, the R7,3-million robbery and the R10-million Stanger robbery. As a result, we were able to build up profiles of suspects and intend charging them shortly," he said.

He said Singh's information could lead to the arrest of about seven people in the next few days.

"Singh played a minor role in the R7,3-million robbery. They are the small fish. The main culprits were pointed out by him. I have confirmed he was talking the truth," Hall said.

He said Singh has agreed to testify against the others. Hall said Singh had provided him with information two weeks after his arrest which prevented another robbery.

He said Singh would be an asset to the community after his release.

Under cross-examination by prosecutor Anton Steynberg, Hall conceded that corruption was rife in the police force.

With acknowledgements to Ronnie Govender and the Sunday Times.