Thulani Rodrigo Khumalo (33) and Samuel Mngomezulu (42) were found guilty and sentenced by the Witbank Regional Court on Thursday, 8 September 2022 for damaging of essential infrastructure, theft and possession of stolen property.
The two were arrested during a multidisciplinary disruptive operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Middelburg, Afriguard, Transnet and Durban Railway police on 7 September 2020 at Balmoral railway lines.
The team kept observation whereby the suspects were seen loading the railway lines and were apprehended.
A truck and Toyota Hilux which tried to escape from the crime scene were recovered at Mzimkhulu entrance gate after crashing onto a brick wall. The value of the recovered property is estimated at R1.4 million. The accused were kept in custody until they were sentenced on Thursday.
Khumalo was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for damaging of infrastructure, five years imprisonment for theft whereas Mngomezulu was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for damaging of infrastructure and five years for theft. Both accused were also declared unfit to possess firearm.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena appreciated the investigating officer for his endurance until he managed to secure such marvelous results.
