The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng remain resolute in addressing the scourge of serious and violent crimes in accordance with Section 205 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996. It is for this reason that Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni commended all detectives for the recent successes they have achieved in courts across the province.
Over a period of four weeks from 10 March to 6 April 2023, detectives from various stations and provincial units have collectively secured over 10 life imprisonment terms with over 800 years in prison for approximately 60 accused in nearly 70 separate cases.
The charges in these case include, among others; murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery with aggravating circumstances and tampering with essential infrastructure.
Highlights include the sentencing of Thembinkosi Mdunge (aged 38) and Wetsi Moloi (aged 34) to 20 years imprisonment each by the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on 30 March 2023 for tampering with essential infrastructure; both accused were also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Mdunge and Moloi were apprehended by members of Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) in November last year and stolen essential infrastructure were recovered. The case was assigned to Warrant Officer Jones Mokgobu, a detective at SAPS Johannesburg Central.
In another unrelated case, on 16 March 2023 the Pretoria High Court sentenced Mjabuliseni Linda Luthuli (aged 36) to five imprisonment terms and an additional 65 years imprisonment on multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Luthuli, a ‘hit man’ from Nkandla, and three other accomplices attacked and fatally wounded five people and injure two in December 2019 in Wierdabrug and Olievenhoutbosch respectively. Upon his arrest, Luthuli confessed that he was hired to shoot certain people within the taxi industry. The case was assigned to Sergeant Phuti Moloto who is a detective attached to the SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation (OCI). Moloto immediately commenced with his investigation and meticulously pieced all the available leads together. This resulted in a solid case presented in court against the accused.
Also, the Vosloorus Regional Court sentenced Nkandla Mbongiseni, Robert Hlatshwayo and Nkululeko Nkomo to three years’ imprisonment each for escaping from lawful custody. The trio were recaptured following their escape from lawful custody in January 2022. They escaped enroute back to Boksburg Correctional Facility from Vosloorus Regional Court. A team from the Provincial Investigation Unit (PIU) was assigned to investigate this case and trace the escapees who were shortly after recaptured. Sergeant Nengovela’s dedication ensured a water-tight case against the trio in court.
In addition, on 13 March 2023 the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court sentenced Onyeghani Dumkele (aged 37) to one life term imprisonment and an additional 15 years in prison for murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances and contravention of the Immigration Act. Dumkele scammed and lured his victim, an upcoming artist from Limpopo, to an address in Sunnyside by means of a fake advertisement of a camera. The victim, accompanied by a friend arrived at the said address and was then attacked by Dumkele and a group of accomplices. The case was assigned to Warrant Officer Phuti Thlotse, a detective at SAPS Sunnyside for further investigation. Thlotse’s quality investigation ensured a successful conviction of the accused.
“I am confident in saying that quality investigations by our detectives will eventually restore our communities’ faith in the South African Police Service,” said Maj Gen Mthombeni.
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