The Bethal Magistrate’s Court, after several appearances, found Sphamandla Malibongwe Mhlongo (29) guilty of theft of livestock and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 Act 60/2000 of the Firearm Control Act.
The court further found the other two accused not guilty.
According to Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, Bethal police spokesperson, the investigating detective Warrant Officer Elias Mkwanazi, received a tip-off on July 8, 2022, of a white delivery van with a trailer loaded with four cattle suspected to be stolen.
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Mkwanazi and Detective Sergeant James Mthimunye responded to the information and stopped the delivery vehicle, matching the description on the road towards Halfgewonnen.
“The officers questioned the vehicle’s driver about the transportation of the cattle. He told the police one occupant in the car hired him to do it,” said Mogadime.
While the police were interviewing the driver, the officers also approached Mhlongo and his friend.
The officers requested the transportation document, which they failed to produce, informing him that the cattle belonged to someone at a farm in Hendrina.
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Failing to produce the document, the officers instructed the men to drive to the police station for further investigation.
“The driver accompanied police to the alleged owner of the cattle to verify ownership. Upon meeting with the alleged owner, he denied ownership of the cattle and informed the police that Mhlongo arrived at the farm with the cattle and requested to use his loading zone with payment after selling the cattle.
“The lawful livestock owner reported the theft to the SAPS and could positively identify the cattle with ear tags and ear-cuts. The police handed the cattle to the lawful owner,” said Mogadime.
The value of the stolen four cattle was R123 000.
