A motor vehicles thief was sentenced to serve an effective 17 years in jail by the Musina Regional court on Wednesday 30 November 2022.
Tsununu Ahmad Maphosa (36) was convicted and sentenced for burglary at business premises and theft of motor vehicles.
The court heard that in the early hours of 09 December 2017, Maphosa together with his accomplices broke into a Ford Vehicle Dealership and stole two Ford Everest and four Ford Rangers to the value of R3 235 000.
The matter was immediately reported to the police and a case was opened and referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further probe.
An intensive investigation was conducted and it resulted in the recovery of five of the six stolen motor vehicles in Masisi area near the Limpopo River on the very same day they were reported stolen.
The vehicles were intercepted from crossing the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe and all the drivers ran away. Through the assistance of law abiding citizens, Maphosa was arrested in the area while attempting to flee.
The Hawks’ continuous investigation resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala in Gauteng Province. Tshabalala is believed to be a mastermind behind vehicle theft syndicate.
Maphosa was never granted bail until he was convicted and sentenced as follows: Count 1- Four years imprisonment for housebreaking at business premises.
Count 2- 15 imprisonment for theft of motor vehicles.
Two years in count one are ordered to run concurrently with fifteen years in count two. Maphosa will serve an effective 17 years in jail.
He was further declared unfit to possess firearm in term of the Firearm Control Act.
His accomplice, Tshabalala is still at large after he was released on bail and the warrant of arrest was authorised against him.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts may contact Captain Makhani on 082 565 7842 or the nearest police station.