Vosloorus man convicted to three years for shoplifting
Koti was convicted by the Vosloorus Magistrate's Court on August 8, 2022, and sentenced to three years of direct imprisonment at Boksburg Correctional Services.
A 35-year-old Vosloorus resident, Xolani Christopher Koti, was convicted and sentenced to three years for shoplifting.
Koti was arrested on April 18, 2022, after he was caught stealing meat by a security officer at Shoprite Naledi Mall.
According to the Vosloorus SAPS investigating officer (IO), Detective Constable Marlena Tandane, when Koti was about to leave the shop the security officer, Xolani Dabula, requested to search him.
He found that Koti had stolen a tray of meat worth R159.63, hidden on his body. He did not have any proof of purchase.
Koti was arrested by the security guard and called the police. Constable Notokozo Zulu responded to the scene.
“On her arrival, she met the security officer who explained what had happened. They then arrested and took Koti to Vosloorus SAPS,” said Tandane.
“The case served before the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court. I was called in for the bail application and had to confirm the address he provided in the statement so that I know where to find him if he is released on bail.
“However, the bail was opposed because did not live at the provided address. The address he provided is of his grandparents. His grandmother said she last saw him ten years ago and she does not know where he stays.”
She further explained another reason Koti was denied bail is that he had another case (259/08/2020) of shoplifting investigated by her colleague, Sergeant Mbatha, where he allegedly committed the same crime at Shoprite Naledi Mall in 2020.
He was arrested on that day and released on bail, but never returned to court, which amplified the reason to deny him bail, she added.
Tandane said the only challenge she faced while investigating the case was that she was unable to profile the suspect as he did not have an ID.
Koti was convicted by the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court on August 8, 2022, and sentenced to three years of direct imprisonment at Boksburg Correctional Services.
“I am happy that justice has been served, as they have been taking chances at Shoprite for a long time,” said Tandane.
