TZANEEN – A 51-year-old former police sergeant, Leonard Madikana Maraka, formerly attached to Haenertsburg Vispol (Crime Prevention), has been sentenced to 12 months’ direct imprisonment after being found guilty of theft and defeating the administration of justice.

Maraka was convicted on Friday (February 6) in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the offences stem from an incident that occurred in March 2024, when Maraka was on duty conducting crime prevention operations in the Haenertsburg area.

“During patrols Maraka and his colleagues spotted a suspicious vehicle. When the driver was instructed to stop, he sped off, resulting in a chase that ended at Makgeng village in the Mankweng policing area,” Ledwaba said.

The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. A search of the vehicle revealed several chainsaws suspected to be stolen.

The vehicle was driven to Haenertsburg SAPS, where the recovered items were booked into the SAPS 13 register.

“Investigations later revealed that Maraka stole two of the chainsaws and sold them for personal gain. The stolen items were subsequently recovered.”

A case of theft and defeating the administration of justice was opened against Maraka at Haenertsburg SAPS and investigated by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.

Following the investigation, the matter was enrolled in court, where Maraka made several appearances before being convicted and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the conduct, reiterating that the SAPS will not tolerate corruption or criminal behaviour within its ranks.