July unrest 'Woolies looter' handed 3-year suspended sentence
The man caught on camera stealing groceries from Woolworths during the July unrest Mbuso Moloi has been sentenced to three years imprisonment which is suspended for five years.
On Friday, the Durban Regional Court also sentenced Mbuso Moloi (32) to 18 months under correctional supervision, coupled with community service.
He was also handed a fine R1 000, wholly suspended, for driving a car without licence plates.
In March, Moloi admitted to stealing during the 2021 unrest.
He faced charges of theft and Contravention of the National Road Traffic Regulations after he was caught on video in July 2021 walking out of a Woolworths store in Essenwood with a basket full of goods.
He was seen loading the stolen goods into his Mercedes-Benz parked across the road.
The shop was one of many establishments targeted during widespread looting at the time.
During sentencing proceedings, a social worker from the Department of Social Development, who assessed Moloi, told the court that direct imprisonment would be too harsh a sentence.
She said the images of him that went viral had added to his punishment, and that the accused had become known as the face of the July 2021 looting.
At the same time, defence lawyer, Advocate Willie Lombard, argued that the fact that Moloi pleaded guilty showed he was remorseful, adding that he had not committed any offence since his arrest.
The court heard from the defence that what Moloi did was in the spur of the moment, impulsive and not premeditated.
Lombard said the trauma and process the accused has gone through has taken effect.
He asked the court to give his client a fine of not more than R15 000, saying while this amount would be excessive, it’s available.
The prosecution argued that Moloi's offence affected the economy, and businesses like Woolworths had to increase security, which caused a hike in food prices.
It said the accused’s actions ruined the image of South Africa.
Additional reporting by Lauren Beukes
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