HOUSEBREAKING SYNDICATE SENT TO PRISON
The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court sentenced Modesty Rakamone Chauke (39), to seven years direct imprisonment, Thalitha Ngwenya (38), and Nicholas Daniel Mthimunye(41), from Hammanskraal to eight years direct imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to steal and theft of valuables worth over R30 000. On 30 September 2020, Chauke and others broke into the complainants’ residence in Pierre Van Rynere, Centurion, and stole two laptops, two televisions, a tablet, jewellery, and a make-up powder holder.
When the complainant was driving into the complex, he noticed Chauke and others exiting the complex, and when he arrived at his house, he then realised that a break-in had occurred. As he was viewing the CCTV footage, he then identified Chauke and others in the footage. After alerting the security guards, they were all caught on the run and handed over to the police by the security guards. They have been in custody since their arrest after the NPA successfully opposed bail.
During the judgement, it was put on record that Mthimunye, was still on probation on a case of possession of presumably stolen goods and that all three men have previous convictions of housebreaking and robbery.
In aggravation of sentence public prosecutor, Dru Ramsamy, told the court that statistics show that home invasions are prevalent in the country. Such crimes as the one committed by the accused violate the constitutional right to dignity and security of the victims. Had owners been home when the incident occurred, with these accused backgrounds, it’s unlikely that they would have steered away from violence. She, therefore, asked the court to send a message that a career in crime does not get rewarded by our justice system.
