NELSPRUIT – A 43-year-old cleaner of Imperial Toyota said he was tempted to steal brake fluid worth R2 100 from his workplace.
Mr Dumsani Mdhluli who conducted his own defence pleaded guilty to the charges of theft when he appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court A on January 9.
He told the magistrate that on the day in question he was tempted not to dump the brake fluid in the dustbins as they normally did after cleaning but decided to take it so that he could sell it to a scrapyard near his home to make extra cash.
“I was caught on my way out of the workplace, the police were called and they found the brake fluid in my possession and arrested me.
“I knew what I did was wrong, I was tempted,” he continued.
Mdhluli pleaded for a lesser sentence stating he was looking after his children since his wife was not well and was staying at a traditional healer’s place for treatment.
“She also needs to go to hospital for an operation and if I’m kept in custody no one would be able to help her and the children,” he said.
Mdhluli was also asked to explain why the court should declare him fit to possess a firearm. “This is my first conviction and I have never been convicted of murder or assault, therefore the court should allow me to possess a firearm in the future if I need one,” said Mdhluli.
Mdhluli was sentenced to a fine of R1 000 with the option of three months in prison.
