He was slapped with 12 months imprisonment, which is suspended for five years, and was found unfit to possess a firearm.

Mabaso pleaded guilty to stealing four bottles of whisky at a bottle store he worked at as a packer last October.

According to the information revealed in court, Mabaso was on duty when he took four bottles of whisky and placed them in his locker.
The next day there was a locker inspection. The inspector found the bottles, and Mabaso was subsequently arrested.

Mabaso told the court that he was going to sell the whisky for R100 on the black market. The retail value of the whisky was R150.
It was also revealed that Mabaso was convicted of a robbery in 2010.

His legal aid lawyer asked for leniency on the matter, citing that Mabaso was a father of three, married, and financially supported his family.
At the time of the sentencing, he was employed at a grocery store as a merchandiser.

The lawyer also asked if a fine of R2 000 could be paid.

The state prosecutor, Advocate Noma Vilakazi, said Mabaso betrayed his employer’s trust and had a tendency to cross paths with the law.

Magistrate Solomon Gololo said Mabaso was lucky to have found employment shortly after losing his job due to the theft at the bottle store, “You stole from one employer and went to find another job.”

He finally added that the sentencing serves to help Mabaso rehabilitate and learn from his crime.