Five men were sent to prison and the state confiscated a bakkie belonging to one of them, following their conviction for the theft they committed during the looting and civil unrest that took place in KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021.

Mduduzi Buthelezi (52), Sphelele Mazibuko (22), Mandla Ngcobo (59), John Thobela (46) and Sabelo Shandu (23) were found guilty of stealing 60 boxes of meat from a business in Chersterville, Ayoba Cold Storage in Durban.

KZN’s National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara says the business was not only looted but also partly burnt by members of the public during the unrest.

She says the owner of the business, known as Mr. Luthuli (67), imported meat from Brazil which he sold to various franchises and stores.

“A while after the looting, police in the area were conducting stop and search operations when they stopped a bakkie driven by one of the accused.

“He was transporting about 60 boxes at the back and his co-accused were sitting on top of the boxes. They were taken to the police station where Luthuli identified the goods as his.”

Durban District Court prosecutor Shenaaz Hoosen led the testimonies of the investigating officer and Luthuli during the trial.

“Luthuli told the court that he was able to identify his boxes due to the Brazil stickers that were on them. He said that the looting had caused him to lose millions of rands that he is yet to recover,” says Ramkisson-Kara.

Buthelezi, Ngcobo and Thobela were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each, while Mazibuko and Shandu each received five years behind bars.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the NPA, represented by State Advocate Sakhile Ngcobo and Senior Special Investigator Akbar Ally, obtained a high court order granting the attachment of Thobela’s bakkie which was used during the looting.

“We hope that the sentences will have the desired deterrent effect. We commend the work done by both prosecution and investigation team,” says Ramkisson-Kara.