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TWO MEMBERS of the SA Police Service’s VIP protection unit were sentenced by the Upington Regional Court on Monday after being convicted of stealing R60,000 that was found at a mall in Upington.
Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the officers, Michael Sibiya, 48, and Tebogo Noe, 46, were found guilty in January 2016 after they “stumbled upon cash” to the value of R60,000 in March 2014.
“Both accused, members of the South African Police Service’s VIP protection unit were on duty in the Upington area at the time of the incident. It is reported that the members visited the local mall. Instead of making attempts to locate the owner of the money, the duo decided to buy flashlights and they hid the money inside the box. They attempted to send their newfound loot to their addresses back in Kimberley through the local courier,” said Thebe.
He added that the courier employees in Upington became suspicious and opened the package.
“The cash was found and they immediately notified the Upington Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks. The members were immediately placed under arrest.”
Thebe stated that the officers were sentenced on September 16 following “numerous delaying tactics” orchestrated by the duo.
“Both accused were found guilty and fined R30,000 each, to be paid in monthly instalments, or alternatively three years imprisonment suspended for five years. They were further declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
The Northern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation provincial head, Major-General Stephen Mabuela, welcomed the sentence.
“Integrity for police members is non-negotiable. Those who are found to miss this important trait have no place in the SAPS,” Mabuela said.