Gauteng top cop praises detectives for investigations that led to lengthy sentences

05 September 2022 - 21:02 By TimesLIVE
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Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela has praised detectives whose investigations have led to courts imposing 17 life terms with over 1,100 years in prison for 51 accused in 40 separate cases. File photo.
Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela has praised detectives whose investigations have led to courts imposing 17 life terms with over 1,100 years in prison for 51 accused in 40 separate cases. File photo.
Image: SANDILE NDLOVU

Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela on Monday commended detectives who, in the past few weeks, collectively secured 17 life terms with more than 1,100 years in prison for 51 accused in 40 separate cases.

Police said the convicted criminals faced charges including murder, attempted murder, rape, tampering with essential infrastructure, house and business robberies and car hijackings.

In one of the cases, the Germiston magistrate’s court on August 30 sentenced seven accused to two life imprisonment terms each and a collective additional 450 years.

The accused were found guilty on charges that included murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

On June 1 2019, Xolani Beme, Bhekizenzo Buthelezi, Khululekane Buthelezi, Ntokozo Khumalo, Kenneth Mabanga, Tladi Monaheng and Pule Tsotetsi robbed a business in Rondebult. Two people were killed before they fled the scene with stolen goods.

“The case was assigned to W/O Isaac Langa, a detective based at Elsburg detective service. Langa commenced with his investigation which led him to arrest the suspects within a couple of weeks after the incident took place,” police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Sello said.

Through the application of forensic techniques and the meticulousness of Langa, a solid case was presented in court.

In another case, the Pretoria North magistrate's court sentenced two men to 15 years’ imprisonment each for tampering with essential infrastructure.

“Our detectives' unwavering efforts in court are an indication of our efforts in addressing the scourge of serious and violent crimes in the province. Quality investigation and commitment by our members will ultimately restore the community's faith in the SA Police Service,” said Mawela.

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