Sthembiso Ronald Molaba (31) and Simon Koatsa (25) were respectively sentenced to eight and six years’ imprisonment on Monday, 20 November 2023, in the Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court for stock theft and possession of presumably stolen stock. The accused were also declared unfit to possess firearms in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
Their sentences emanated from an incident reported on Saturday, 19 June 2021, after information was received about brand marking of suspected stolen cattle at a community kraal at Ga-Motlala village, Ventersdorp. It came out during investigations that the cattle were going to be sold to a buyer who was already on his way to collect them. Subsequently, police found 11 Bronsmara cattle inside the cattle press with new brand marks. Five suspects were arrested on the scene and the stolen cattle worth R106 000.00 were handed back to the lawful owner. The case against two of the accused were withdrawn while the other passed away.
The District Commissioner of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Major General Suzette Pretorius commended the members for their swift response and hard work that led to the arrest and sentencing of the accused.
The post Two stock theft accused sentenced to 14 years imprisonment appeared first on South Africa Today.