Katlehong detectives awarded for successful convictions

Katlehong North SAPS honoured three of its detectives with certificates of recognition after securing successful convictions for various crimes.

Detective Warrant Officer Sihle Makhoba, Sergeant Maletsoko Masha and Sergeant Sello Mokgele are held in high regard for their valuable service and commitment in their investigations.

Masha received successful convictions on six cases including:

• Assault with an intention to cause grievous body harm (GBH), one suspect was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.

• Assault common which includes domestic violence whereby one suspect was sentenced to six-months’ imprisonment.

• Dealing in dagga, the suspect paid an admission of guilt fine of R800.

• Assault common for one suspect, who was sentenced to an R 6 000 fine or six months’ imprisonment.

• Attempted murder and arson for one suspect, who was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment suspended for two years.

• Trespassing, one suspect was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

Masha shared details of what transpired while investigating the assault GBH case.

He said the 29-year-old victim opened a case against the suspect Steven Moloi (23) after he assaulted him.

“There was an event at Tshongwene. I think they went to have fun, but they had a quarrel and started fighting. The accused took a bottle and hit the victim on his head and stabbed him in the right cheek.

“It seemed like the two guys were sharing a girlfriend. At the end of the event when they had to leave, both wanted to go with the girl that is when the quarrel started.

“The guys were not friends, the victim is from Germiston and the suspect is from Phoko Section, Katlehong.”

He said the victim went to the hospital where he was treated and provided with a J88 form to register a case.

“Moloi was arrested a week after the incident on April 4, 2022, and appeared at Palm Ridge court the following day. He was granted bail because he was a first-time offender,” Masha explained.

“The case did not take long as the accused was convicted and sentenced on August 18. He started serving his sentence at Boksburg Correctional Services.”

Another case that Masha detailed is an assault common case under domestic violence, whereby the accused, Sicelo Mzimas (32), assaulted his 41-year-old aunt with his fists and open hands.

According to Masha, the complainant reported the case at Katlehong North SAPS. In her statement, she alleged that Mzimas was threatening everyone.

“He was so violent. When he demands something then he wants it to be provided immediately. This means if he wants money, food or anything he has to get it otherwise he will get violent,” said Masha.

Masha could not confirm whether the accused was taking any drugs. He said the investigation was wrapped up quickly because all the witnesses did not hesitate to provide statements.

“The witnesses included a police officer who is a next-door neighbour, she heard everything and she was aware that Mzimas was problematic to the family for a long time. Another witness was a relative who lives with the family.”

The accused was arrested on July 13, and his first appearance was on July 14 in the Palm Ridge Court. The state denied him bail as he is not a first-time offender.

Bail was denied because the accused had other cases of assault domestic violence and theft against his name, and he also didn’t have an alternative address where he will stay.

Masha said the process was easy for the court because the accused pleaded guilty.

Another detective, Warrant Officer Makhoba was honoured for two cases including house break-in and theft, and theft of a motor vehicle.

In the case of theft of a motor vehicle, Makhoba explained that the complainant drove to visit his friend Mzukisi Methuli at Shongweni Section when Methuli stole his City Golf and the groceries inside it.

“I think they were taking drugs and the victim fall asleep that is when the crime occurred. The vehicle has not been recovered, however, witnesses provided me with statements,” said Makhoba.

He said the accused was arrested for a different case of theft of a motor vehicle in Germiston. Methuli was convicted and sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment.

“The accused has cases against him from 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022. His sentence was surely influenced by all the crimes he has committed.”

In the other conviction, three suspects (Minenhle Ntuli, Themba Maseko and Njabulo Methuli) were sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Mokgele was also honoured with a certificate for a successful conviction on a case of culpable homicide. Three suspects were sentenced to six years of direct imprisonment.

Makhoba said receiving these accolades encourages them to do their work well.

The official handover of certificates will be conducted by the Katlehong North SAPS station commander Colonel Nomathandazo Victoria Gumbi.