Two former security guards at a church were each sentenced by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court to 24 months imprisonment or R10 000 fine for theft.
Poloko Mampha and Gift Phakathi, who admitted to the offence, were further sentenced to 36 months imprisonment which was suspended for five years.
In mitigation, they claimed to have stolen the items when their employer failed to pay their salaries for two months. They claimed that their boss was a friend to an official at a Midrand-based church.
The two were on night duty at the church on 2 September. The following morning the premises was burgled and a gas cylinder, television set, computer, cables and a speaker were missing. The matter was reported to the police. At about 5am on 6 September patrolling police officers in the Midrand area noticed the two in uniform, walking and carrying the same stolen goods. They were arrested when they failed to explain the ownership of the items.
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