According to the spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, Thulani Rodrigo Khumalo (33) and Samuel Mngomezulu (42) were found guilty and sentenced by Witbank Regional Court on Thursday, September 8.

They faced charges of damaging essential infrastructure, possessing stolen property and theft.

Sekgotodi said that Khumalo and Mngomezulu were arrested two years earlier on September 7, 2020, at Balmoral railway lines during a multi-disciplinary disruptive operation.

The operation was run by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Middelburg, Afriguard, Transnet and Durban Railway Police. 

According to Sekgotodi, the team kept observation whereby the suspects were seen loading the railway lines and were apprehended. 

Suspects driving a truck and Toyota Hilux tried to escape from the crime scene and were recovered at the Mzimkhulu entrance gate after crashing into a brick wall. 

Khumalo and Mngomezulu were kept in custody until they were sentenced on Thursday.

Khumalo was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for damaging infrastructure and five years imprisonment for theft. 

Mngomezulu was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for damaging infrastructure and five years for theft.

Both accused were also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena appreciated the investigating officer for his endurance until he managed to secure such marvellous results,” Sekgotodi said in closing. 

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