Two men caught stealing rails worth over a million rand in Mpumalanga have been found guilty and sentenced to prison-terms of more than 10 years each.
The convicted rail thieves, 42-year-old Samuel Mngomezulu and 33-year-old Thulani Rodrigo Khumalo, were sent to prison by the Witbank Regional Court in Mpumalanga on Thursday (8 September 2022).
Mngomezulu was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for damaging infrastructure and five years for theft.
Khumalo was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for damaging infrastructure, and five years imprisonment for theft.
Both accused were also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Recounting events leading to the pair being arrested, convicted, and sentenced, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said the suspects were under observation by law enforcement agents on 7 September 2020 when they were seen loading the rails onto a truck at Balmoral Railway Station.
“A truck and Toyota Hilux which tried to escape from the crime scene were recovered at Mzimkhulu’s entrance gate after crashing into a brick wall,” Captain Sekgotodi recalled.
The rail thieves were arrested by a team comprising members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Middelburg, Afriguard, Transnet, and Durban Railway Police.
“The value of the recovered property is estimated at R1.4 million,” Captain Sekgotodi said.
Both men have been in jail since their arrest.
“The accused were kept in custody until they were sentenced on Thursday,” Captain Sekgotodi said.
Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena commended the investigating officer for securing the convictions and sentences, which she described as “marvellous results”.
SENT TO PRISON: Samuel Mngomezulu and Thulani Khumalo for stealing rails
