By Thys Khiba – Modesty Rakamone Chauke (39) has been sentenced to seven years direct imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to steal and theft of valuables worth over R30 000 by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.
The court also sentenced Thalitha Ngwenya (38), and Nicholas Daniel Mthimunye (41), from Hammanskraal to eight years direct imprisonment for the same criminal activities.
This comes after Chauke and others broke into the complainants’ residence in Pierre Van Rynere, Centurion, and stole two laptops, two televisions, a tablet, jewellery, and a make-up powder holder on 30 September 2020.
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“When the complainant was driving into the complex, he noticed Chauke and others exiting the complex, and when he arrived at his house, he then realised that a break-in had occurred. As he was viewing the CCTV footage, he then identified Chauke and others in the footage,” said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Suspects were arrested and handed over to the police by security guards.
The arrest comes after the complaint alerted security guards.
They have been in custody since their arrest after the NPA successfully opposed bail.
IN COURT:
The court learnt that Mthimunye, was still on probation on a case of possession of presumably stolen goods and that all three men have previous convictions of housebreaking and robbery.
Public prosecutor, Dru Ramsamy, informed the court that statistics show that home invasions are prevalent in the country.
“Such crimes as the one committed by the accused violate the constitutional right to dignity and security of the victims.
“Had owners been home when the incident occurred, with these accused backgrounds, it’s unlikely that they would have steered away from violence.”
She, therefore, asked the court to send a message that a career in crime does not get rewarded by our justice system.
CENTRAL NEWS
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