Patrick Kapalamula (37), was sentenced to ten years imprisonment by the Vrede Regional Court on 4 December 2023 for contravention of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015. He also faces deportation upon conclusion of his sentence. The convicted criminal remained behind bars until his sentencing after Bethlehem Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) detectives had successfully opposed bail.
Kapalamula colluded with others to steal diesel from Transnet. On 4 January 2022, a private security company personnel were conducting routine patrols on a farm near Vrede when they saw a group of suspects drawing diesel from a storage tank. These suspects had already damaged the block valve and were filling four trucks and a bakkie with diesel. Upon seeing the security officers, Kapalamula’s partners in crime ran away leaving him behind to be arrested. Only one truck owner has come forward thus far. Other owners used false or changed addresses and as a result are untraceable.
Owners of the following vehicles are being sought: a Scania truck with registration number CX 31 VM GP, a Ford bakkie with registration number JV 31 NH GP, a white Scania truck with registration number FJP 047 MP, and a white MAN truck with registration number NU 37576. Failure to claim these vehicles may result in them being forfeited to the state. Anyone with information may call detective Captain Ketsitseng Mohlomi of Bethlehem SOCI on 071 481 2626 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Alternatively, an anonymous tip-off may be submitted online using the MySAPS application.
Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has applauded the sterling work done by Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority teams in securing this sentence especially given the impact of such crimes on South Africa’s economy. “A strong partnership between the police, private security, and prosecution is exactly what we need to fight economic crimes. It will require all hands on deck,” she said.
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