COURT CONVICT TWO SAPS MEMBERS FOR THEFT

NORTHERN-CAPE: Upington Regional Court convicted and sentenced Michael Sibiya (48) and Tebogo Noe (46) for theft which took place in March 2014.
Both accused, members of South African Police Service’s VIP protection unit were on duty in the Upington area. It is reported that the members visited the local mall, where they stumbled upon cash to the value of R60 000, instead of making attempts to locate the owner, the duo decided to buy flashlights and hid the money inside the box. They attempted to send their new found loot to their addresses back in Kimberley through the local courier.
The local courier employees in Upington became suspicious and opened the package. Cash was found and they immediately notified Upington Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks. The members were immediately placed under arrest. The court found the two Police Officers guilty in January 2016 after a lengthy trial.
Sentencing took place on 16 September 2024 after numerous delay tactics by the duo. Both accused were found guilty and fined R30 000 each, to be paid in monthly instalments or alternative three (3) years imprisonment suspended for five (5) years. They were further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Northern-Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Stephen Mabuela welcomed the sentence and said “Integrity is none negotiable for Police members, those who are found to miss this important trait have no place in SAPS”.