Undocumented man sentenced for stealing SAPS crime intelligence Isuzu bakkie
The Polokwane Regional Court has sentenced Simon Andile Nyathi for theft of an Isuzu bakkie which belonged to SAPS crime intelligence unit, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Image: SAPS
The Polokwane Regional Court has sentenced 40-year-old Simon Andile Nyathi to 15 years imprisonment for theft of a motor vehicle, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said Nyathi was arrested in May 2024 near a fuel station situated along N1 freeway.
“Members of the Limpopo provincial tracking team, in collaboration with Mighty Security, and Tshimollo Security and Investigation, received positive information about a stolen vehicle, a silver Isuzu double cab,” said Ledwaba.
“The vehicle belonged to the SAPS crime intelligence unit, and it was reported stolen in Soshanguve, Gauteng province, on 2 May 2024.”
When the vehicle was recovered, police arrested Nyathi and charged him with theft of a motor vehicle and contravention of South Africa’s Immigration Act.
The docket was assigned to Sergeant Mmalesetja Senyatsi, attached to the Polokwane vehicle crime investigation unit, for further investigation.
This week, the 40-year-old Nyathi was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for theft of a motor vehicle, and two years behind bars for contravention of the Immigration Act.
The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, which means Nyathi will serve an effective 15 years behind bars.
Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the sentence imposed by the court.
Hadebe also applauded the investigating officer and the arresting team “for working tirelessly, as that ensures that criminals are kept behind bars”.
In June, IOL reported that the Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo imposed six years of direct imprisonment against a 37-year-old Zimbabwean man, Joseph Kungwengwe, after he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Cross.
The police intercepted and recovered the compact sport utility vehicle in Mokopane on 29 December last year.
Joseph Kungwengwe was sentenced to six years direct imprisonment after he was arrested driving a stolen Toyota Corolla Cross to Zimbabwe.
Image: SAPS
Kungwengwe was subsequently arrested after the stolen vehicle was intercepted.
At the time, Ledwaba said the Toyota Corolla Cross was reported stolen at Brakpan, in Gauteng province, last year.
“Limpopo provincial anti-smuggling team received intelligence information about a suspected stolen motor vehicle from Gauteng province driving along N1, en route to Beitbridge port of entry,” said Ledwaba.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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