Polokwane – Being caught behind the wheel of a stolen Toyota Fortuner – that was in mint condition – has resulted in 35-year-old Shane Mthombeni being sentenced to six years in prison.
The Regional Court in Mokopane, Limpopo, on Thursday, (9 November 2023), meted out a hefty sentence to the convicted car thief.
Mthombeni was sentenced to six years of “direct imprisonment” without any option to pay a fine.
The court has also declared Mthombeni unfit to possess a firearm.
During the trial, the court heard that Mthombeni was intercepted at Nyl Toll Plaza along the N1 by police, on Monday (30 October 2023), while driving a silver Toyota Fortuner that had been reported stolen.
Members of the SA Police Service Provincial Tracking Team in conjunction with a private security company acted on information garnered in their probe that led to the arrest of the accused.
The police team at the time had reliable information that the vehicle was going to be driven from Gauteng along the N1 Highway to the Beitbridge border before being smuggled into Zimbabwe.
The case of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle was immediately opened against the accused and transferred to the Vehicle Investigation Unit for further handling.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the vehicle was hijacked in Benoni, Gauteng, on Wednesday (25 October 2023).
The investigation was finalised and the accused opted not to apply for bail.
Limpopo SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the team for their outstanding performance and welcomed the sentencing meted out to the accused.
“This conviction and the sentence will serve as a deterrent to would-be car thieves,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
SPEED OF JUSTICE
- Toyota Fortuner Hijacked in Benoni on 25 October 2023
- Accused Shane Mthombeni was arrested at the Nyl Toll Plaza on 30 October 2023
- Convicted Shane Mthombeni sentenced to six years in prison 9 November 2023
