The court agreed with the State's submissions and handed down the sentences accordingly.
Four members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and a police informant have been sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment each by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court for their roles in an unlawful operation that resulted in the theft of about R1.2 million from a Nigerian national and two Congolese nationals.
According to Justice, Crime Prevention and Security, the convicted officers, Tebogo Michael Moeketse, Choema Eric Moabelo, Isram Moaone Phala and Kagiso Arthur Masibi, alongside police informant Walter Enow Agbor, were found guilty on charges including robbery, corruption, kidnapping, theft and defeating the ends of justice.
The court imposed a total sentence of 38 years’ imprisonment on each of the accused. However, the sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective 15-year jail term for each convict.
The offences stemmed from an operation conducted in Randburg on May 8, 2018.
