Ex-cop handed four years jail time after pleading guilty for clothing store burglary

The expelled Thabong based police officer has been sentenced to four years direct imprisonment, after he was found guilty of burglary incident which emanates from July 2019 in Theunissen, not far from Thabong.

Handing down the judgement, the Welkom Magistrate Court found that the convicted ex-cop was amongst the five suspects and his cop colleague, after being found with stolen items.

On Thursday, the police released a statement which confirmed the case brought against the suspects: “A burglary was committed at a clothing store in Theunissen.

“Five suspects were arrested including two police officers who were later dismissed from the SAPS. The dismissed member, Thato Aubrey Moloi pleaded guilty and sentenced,” read a released statement.

It is alleged that following a tip-off, the police followed a trace with a thorough investigation which led police officers to a con house in Thabong.

According to Lejweleputswa police spokesperson captain Stephen Thakeng, this is where five suspects were caught red-handed with stolen items.

“The five suspects were charged for burglary and for being in possession of suspected stolen items,” addressed Thakeng in a statement.

The case against two former SAPS members was assigned to Detective Sergeant Vusimuzi Ngomane of Provincial Anti Corruption Unit .

“The other former member Vincent Tswarelo Masiza pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and wholly suspended for five years,” explained Thakeng.

“The second former member Thato Abrey Moloi (30) from Thabong Police Station pleaded guilty for house breaking and theft in Welkom Regional Court,” a statement read.

The Provincial Commissioner of Free State general Baile Motswenyane welcomed the sentence and said that he hope this will send a clear cut message that one cannot commit crime as a police officer.

“We will never get tired in rooting out corrupt elements hiding in our beautiful uniform that symbolises hope,” she said.

She further applauded SAPS members who effected the five arrests.

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