Two guys stole railway lines but got caught after crashing into wall

The two men were seen loading railway lines into two vehicles and were found after their car crashed into a brick wall.

Sep 10, 2022 - 22:14
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Two guys stole railway lines but got caught after crashing into wall

Two suspects are to spend a long time in jail for stealing railway lines worth millions in Middelburg. The pair were caught by the Hawks after their getaway vehicle crashed.

SUSPECTS STOLE INFRASTRUCTURE WORTH MILLIONS

On 7 September 2020, the two were spotted at Balmore railway lines.

A multidisciplinary team, made up of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, Afri Guard, Transet and Durban Railway police witnessed their acts.

The two were seen loading the railway lines into a truck and a Toyota Hilux, Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said.

But the pair tried to escape the crime scene. They were found at uMzimkhulu entrance gate in KwaZulu-Natal after crashing into a brick wall, she said.

“The value of the recovered stolen property is estimated at R1.4 million.”

Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
railway
The two were found in possession of stolen railway lines valued at R1.4 million. PHOTO: Hawks

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TWO FINALLY HANDED HEFTY SENTENCE

The two were arrested and remained in custody until later this week, when their sentence was handed down.

Thulani Rodrigo Khumalo, 33, and Samuel Mngomezulu, 42, were found guilty. They are convicted on charges of damage to essential infrastructure, theft and possession of stolen property.

The two were sentenced by the Witbank Regional Court on Thursday, said Sekgotodi.

“Khumalo was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for damage of infrastructure, five years’ imprisonment for theft.”

Mngomezulu was handed 10 years’ imprisonment for damage of infrastructure and five years for theft.

The two are also declared unfit to possess a firearm, said Sekgotodi.

“The provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Zodwa Mokoena appreciated the investigating officer for his endurance until he managed to secure such marvellous results.”

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SUSPECTS APPEAR IN COURT FOR THEFT OF MILLIONS WORTH OF CONVEYOR BELTS

Meanwhile, two suspects appeared in court on Friday for theft of conveyer belts from Sasol.

The two, aged 29 and 42 were detected by Sasol employees in January 2019 and the matter was reported to the Hawks, Sekgotodi said.

They were arrested on Wednesday by a multidisciplinary operation during the execution of a warrant of arrest.

“More arrests are imminent,” she said.

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