The Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Rhulani Herbert Maringa (44), a police officer attached to the Cullinan Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS), to 12 years’ direct imprisonment following his conviction for stock theft valued at R80 000.

He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

On 17 April 2019, two accused persons who have since turned state witnesses stole cattle from Zonderwater Correctional Services in Cullinan at the instruction of Constable Maringa.

The matter came to light after police received a tip-off from a farmer to whom the stolen cattle had been sold. When the two individuals returned to the farm to collect payment, they were arrested.

Upon their arrest, the two accused cooperated with the police and told the police that Maringa was involved in the planning of the offence and escorted