By REGINALD KANYANE
18 March 2025- Two accused persons sentenced by the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court for stock theft, related offences on 13 March 2025, for stock theft, related offences. The crimes were committed between February 2022 and April 2023 in Manamakgotheng village, near Mogwase.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said it was reported at the time of the incident that the accused, Isaac Mariri (43) and Tshidi Mpete (46), stole five cattle at Lesobeng cattle post near Lesetlheng village. Mokgwabone said the ensuing investigation including the execution of the search and seizure warrant, led to the discovery of five cattle carcasses at Mpete’s residence in Moruleng village on 9 April 2022.
“The police further recovered the Band Saw Machine, which was stolen at a butchery in Moruleng in November 2021. The accused who were arrested in Moruleng and later released on bail, were sentenced.
“Mariri was sentenced to three years imprisonment (wholly, suspended for five years), for possession of suspected stolen goods or fined R60 000. He was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of R240 000.00, failing to furnish identification documents while disposing of the stock,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the sentence was suspended for five years on condition that the accused compensates the complainant R80 000, which will be payable in batches. He added that the accused were instructed to pay the victim a R20 000 on 13 March 2025, then a monthly instalment of R10 000 from 1 April 2025 until 01 April 2030.
“The accused were sentenced to two years imprisonment (wholly suspended for five years) or fined R40 000 for contravention of Section 120 (8) of the Firearms Control Act. Mphete was found not guilty on count 1 of housebreaking. However, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for failing to furnish identification documents, while disposing of the stock/produce or a fine of R70 000 payable in batches,” said Mokgwabone.
He said Mphete was instructed to pay R10 000 on 13 March 2025. Mokgwabone said then a monthly instalment of R5000 with effect from 1 April 2025 until 1 May 2026.
“He was found not guilty on other counts. Both accused were declared unfit to possess firearms in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, applauded Warrant Officer Agnes Mediwane, the state prosecutor, advocate Kamogelo Moselakgomo and stakeholders, for securing a conviction for stock theft related offences, which are problematic in the province. Asanenf indicated further that the sentence is a warning that crime does not pay.
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