Two men, aged 32 and 33, were sentenced to five years imprisonment each, after they were linked to a motorcycle which was stolen in Welbekend, last year.
John Eric Masanga was found guilty of being in possession of stolen property, while his accomplice, Batista Magaga, was found guilty of the theft of the motorcycle.
Masanga was arrested by Crystal Park SAPS members on June 6, last year, during a stop-and-search operation. According to Crystal Park SAPS spokesperson Tryna Maritz, he was pulled over while driving a light duty vehicle with a motorbike on the back.
“The driver could not give any explanation as to where he found it, just claiming that he was sent to pick it up,” she said.
Masanga was then arrested for being in possession of presumed stolen property and detained at the Crystal Park SAPS.
During questioning by the detectives he identified the person who asked him to transport the motorcycle. Magaga was then was arrested on June 8, 2014, in the N12 informal settlement.
The investigating officer, Det Const Dumisani Mtshali, traced the owner of the motorcycle and it was discovered that the suspects had stolen the motorcycle in Welbekend, where a case had been opened.
The case was postponed several times after their first appearance, on June 9, in the Benoni Magistrates Court.
“The station commander, Lieut Col Belinda Motaung, said she is happy with the outcome of the case, and made it clear to criminals that they will be brought before justice when committing a crime,” added Maritz.
