A MEMBER of a highly sophisticated car theft syndicate, believed to be operating with help from within the Department of Transport, was convicted and sentenced in the Ngwelezane Regional Court on Thursday.
John Jabulani Mnguni (56) of eSikhaleni was nabbed during a sting operation by the Hawks in July 2012 following intelligence reports that a large number of vehicles, stolen and hijacked across the country, were delivered to chop shops in eSikhaleni
Mnguni was charged with two counts of possession of stolen vehicles found in his possession at eSikhaleni on 28 June 2012 and Richards Bay on 5 July 2012 respectively.
During the trial, Mnguni claimed ownership of the cars by producing fraudulent logbooks, printed with paper and font belonging to the Department of Transport.
He was one of many suspects arrested when the Hawks zoned in on eSikhaleni, seizing and impounding 40 vehicles in a single month.
One of the vehicles found in Mnguni’s possession was later identified as hijacked in Richards Bay, while the other was stolen in Pinetown.
Both had their identification numbers (VIN) filed off and re-stamped.
They were re-licensed under a new identity with fictitious numbers.
During trial, Mnguni produced two log books to prove ownership, but Regional Court Prosecutor Mr Hlehla called expert witnesses from the Department of Transport to refute Mnguni’s claims.
According to the evidence, one of the engine numbers did not correspond to the vehicle in question, while the chassis and VIN numbers did not exist and never went through the Department’s system legitimately.
He said although the font belonged to the Department, the information was incorrect.
The expert also testified that the paper used to produce the false log books costs about R15 000 per metre and printed with a unique font.
Mr Hlehla argued that Mnguni could not possibly have acted alone and said circumstantial evidence points to syndicate involvement.
Hlehla said Mnguni did not have access to the material used to produce the log books himself and did not have the necessary equipment to re-stamp the identification numbers.
Presiding Regional Court Magistrate, Mr K Shandu, agreed that Mnguni neither had the expertise, material nor access to the Department of Transport’s resources.
He convicted him on both counts and sentenced him to four years imprisonment on each count.
