The 27-year-old Fernando Bila was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on July 28.
Captain Raymond Sebonyane, spokesperson for the Krugersdorp Police, explained that Bila was identified through fingerprint comparison which linked him to two housebreaking cases committed in March 2015.
“Both incidents took place on Kathleen Street in Noordheuwel.”
Sebonyane said the first incident was between March 3 and 14, 2015. The victim told police that when he came home from Cape Town, he found a window frame had been removed. Nothing was stolen.
“The fingerprints were obtained from the scene but no one was arrested.”
The second incident happened between 22:00 on March 14, 2015 and 03:10 on March 15, 2015. Sebonyane said the perpetrator or perpetrators were disturbed by the dogs after an aluminium window was broken, and only a universal TV remote was stolen.
Police found that the accused was already serving sentences of 30 years and more in the Barberton Correctional Facility for various housebreaking and robbery charges.
The cases were sent for trial on July 28 this year and the accused was found guilty. He received a five-year sentence for each of the cases.
“The court ordered that the sentences on both counts were to be served concurrently with the sentence he is currently serving. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
Sebonyane added that on the same day as Bila’s sentencing,, the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court sentenced the 33-year-old Sinovoyo Stofile to three years imprisonment after she was arrested for shoplifting at the Clicks Pharmacy in Key West.
Stofile was found with perfume to the value of R6 249 in her possession, and had previous convictions and also another outstanding case registered at another police station.
Krugersdorp Police’s acting station commander, Colonel Christelle Booysen applauded the investigating officers, Sergeants Hosea Lelahane, Tshepiso Mashele and Maenetja for a job well done.
The Krugersdorp Police continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activities by contacting their nearest police station or calling the police Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Information can also be communicated anonymously via the My SAPS app or the SMS number on 32211.
