Man involved in Phalaborwa vehicle dealership robbery sentenced
The Hawks said the mastermind behind the vehicle theft syndicate is still at large after he was released on bail.
LIMPOPO – One of two accused responsible for the theft of six Ford vehicles worth over R3m in 2017 has been sentenced in the Musina Regional Court.
Tsununu Ahmad Maphosa (36) was convicted and sentenced for burglary at business premises and theft of motor vehicles.
The Hawks’ provinicial spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said Maphosa and his co-accused Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala, broke into the Phalaborwa Ford dealership on December 9, 2017 and stole six vehicles (Two Ford Everests and four Ford Rangers) to the value of R3 235 000.
Read more: Phalaborwa dealership robbery: Suspected leader arrested at court
The matter was reported to the police and a case was opened and referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Unit for further probe.
“An intensive investigation was conducted and it resulted in the recovery of five of the six stolen motor vehicles in the Masisi area near the Limpopo River on the very same day they were reported stolen. The vehicles were intercepted from crossing the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe and all the drivers ran away,” a statement read.
Maluleke said Maphosa was arrested in the area while attempting to flee through the assistance of law abiding citizens.
“The Hawks’ continuous investigation resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala in Gauteng, who is believed to be the mastermind behind a vehicle theft syndicate,” Maluleke said.
Read more: Ringleader of Phalaborwa dealership robbery arrested during appearance in Johannesburg court
Maphosa was never granted bail and was sentenced as follows:
Count 1: Burglary at business premises – Four years imprisonment
Count 2: Theft of motor vehicles – 15 years imprisonment.
“Two years in count one are ordered to run concurrently with fifteen years in count two. The accused will serve an effective 17 years in jail,” he said.
Maluleke added that Maphosa was also declared unfit to possess firearm in term of the Firearm Control Act.
Meanwhile, Tshabalala is still at large after he was released on bail and a warrant of arrest was authorised against him.
“Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts may contact Captain Makhani on 082 565 7842 or the nearest police station.”
