Lengthy prison sentences for thieves who stole luxury vehicles
Two members of a car theft and cross border smuggling syndicate have been sentenced to a combined 16 years imprisonment by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.
he court handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Bheki Mlangeni, 39, and a six-year sentence to 38-year-old Sifiso Tukulu.
The convicted pair were part of a gang of eight. In July 2012 the gang went to a car rental company based at an airport, where they stole eight luxury sedans with a combined value of R1,5 million.
The daring car thieves were allegedly helped to steal the cars by an employee at the car rental, who has been at large since he was granted bail in June 2013. So far three of these stolen vehicles have been recovered.
Two other suspects also absconded shortly after they were granted bail.
Commenting on the arrest and recent sentencing of the two car thieves, acting police national commissioner, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane on Wednesday congratulated “the team for the job well done”.
“Our ports of entry need to be well policed to avoid incidents in which syndicates find it easier to transport vehicles across our borders,” said Phahlane.
“We have, as part of our border control measures, increased the level of alertness and more manpower to ensure that any vehicle passing our ports of entry is in possession of the necessary paperwork. We are doing everything within the law to prevent that similar incidents occur.”