Nine accused Nazier Ahmed Tiry (48), Patricia Shangweni (38), Abraham Tshabalala (48), Anthony Nyamusa (47), Goodenough Mthetwa (54), Alfred Buthelezi (64), Vellie Sithole (58), Solomon Nkosi (40) and Joseph Moisi (54) were sentenced on Thursday, 14 October 2016 by Bloemfontein High Court for racketeering and theft of fuel.
On the 3 May 2006, a truck belonging to Rand Freight Transport was to deliver diesel for MBT Petroleum at TNE Depot, Marikane. The truck was however found abandoned in Naboomspruit in Limpopo. Through investigation it was revealed that the diesel was off-loaded in tanks in Tiry’s farm in Zutundo near Naboomspruit. Tiry and Shangweni were arrested and charged for theft.
After their arrest Tiry and Shangweni moved to Warden in the Free State Province and were again arrested for theft of fuel on 14 December 2006 after it was found that a truck belonging to Freight Dynamics off-loaded approximately 43, 000 litres of reformate petrol on the farm Quaryhoek owned by Tiry and Shangweni.
On both farms a number of bulk storage tanks, surrounded by high security walls were found. It was clearly intended to handle large volumes of fuel. A number of trucks belonging to different transport companies were then linked with C-Track GPS mapping on both farms occupied by Tiry and ShangwenI.
During the investigation it was established that Tiry had contact with drivers of the trucks whom he paid for the fuel and unlawfully off-loaded on his farm. Large quantities of fuel was sold by Tiry at Quaryhoek farm in Warden, approximately 473 000 litres of fuel was recovered from the storage tanks.
In some cases it was established that the trucks did not enter the Sasol Plant, but off-loading documents were signed as if the load was correctly received by Sasol employees.
Tshabalala, Nyamusa, Mthetwa, Buthelezi and Moisi were drivers of some of the trucks that were linked with C-Track GPS mapping to Tiry farms where the crimes were committed.
Sithole and Nkosi worked at Sasol in Secunda in Mpumalanga. They signed weighbridge and off-loading documents as correct while knowing that it was not their position. Because seals were broken and or the tankers were filled with water, in some instances the trucks did not even enter the Sasol Plant.
Nazier Tiry was sentenced to 50 years for two counts of racketeering and 600 years for 42 counts theft but he will serve effective 30 years imprisonment.
Patricia Tshabalala was sentenced to 18 years for racketeering and 600 years for 42 counts of theft but she will serve effective 18 imprisonments.
Abraham Tshabalala was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 105 years for 6 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
Anthony Nyamusa was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 60 years for 4 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
Goodenough Mthetwa was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 45 years for 3 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
Alfred Buthelezi was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 45 years for 3 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
Vellie Sithole was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 150 years for 10 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
Solomon Nkosi was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 45 years for 3 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
Joseph Moisi was sentenced to 15 years for racketeering and 30 years for 2 counts of theft but will serve effective 15 years imprisonment.
