Foreign nationals have been found guilty and sentenced for possession of stolen property

Foreign nationals have been found guilty and sentenced for possession of stolen property.

 Venus Ngobeni (age 35), Remember Ngobeni (age 37), Jabulani Ngobeni (age 46), and Yekelina Ngobeni (age 63), four foreign nationals, entered a guilty plea and received sentences from the Mhala Regional Court on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, for possession of stolen property (a motor vehicle), defeating the ends of justice, and violating the Immigration Act.

The sentence followed after four accused were arrested in July 2022 by the Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation. Information on the suspects was received after the murder of a traffic officer in Bushbuckridge. The victim and his two male friends were allegedly in his car on the day in question when the suspects approached them and attempted to rob them. The victim was shot while attempting to flee during the process.

The suspects fled with the victim`s vehicle. It is further alleged that the suspects drove to a certain village and requested to park the vehicle then left. The team investigated and the information received led them to a certain house in Xavayini Trust where the suspected stolen motor vehicle was found concealed. The owner of the house and her three sons, originally from Mozambique, were separately arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property, defeating the end of justice, and being illegal in the country.

 The suspects’ alibi led to the arrest of Maile who brought the robbed vehicle to be parked at their residence after he was permitted to do so. Further allegations state that the shooter, Maile, boasted to his fellow prisoners that he had murdered a traffic cop in Bushbuckridge after being caught and imprisoned. He was afterward attacked and taken to the hospital, where he passed away as a result of his wounds. Further investigation revealed that Maile had been with another suspect on the day in question, who had also been connected to the crime site by mobile phone analysis.

The alleged suspect is not yet arrested. The docket was taken to court for decision, pending outcome. The Ngobeni four appeared in court on several occasions until they pleaded guilty.

They were sentenced as follows:

 Accused 1: Yekelina Ngobeni’s charges were withdrawn against her.

 Accused 2: Remember Ngobeni was sentenced to 30 days in imprisonment for being an illegal immigrant and to be deported to his country of origin.

Accused 3: Jabulani Ngobeni was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment for being an illegal immigrant and he is to be deported to his country of origin.

Accused 4: Venus Ngobeni was sentenced to 3 years and 30 days imprisonment for possession of stolen property, defeating the ends of justice, and being an illegal immigrant. After serving his sentence he is to be deported to his country of origin.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber applauded the investigating team for their efforts. He further extended his gratitude to the public for the valuable information provided. The General promised the community that the Hawks are committed to fighting serious crime in the province of Mpumalanga