POLICE SERGEANT SENTENCED TO 12 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR THEFT AND DEFEATING THE ENDS OF JUSTICE
POLOKWANE – A 51-year-old Former Police Sergeant, Leonard Madikana Maraka, attached to Haenertsburg Vispol (Crime Prevention) was found guilty today, Friday 06 February 2026, at Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court for Theft and Defeating the Administration of Justice.
The court heard that on 15 March 2024, the member was on duty with colleagues conducting crime prevention duties around Haenertsburg and spotted a suspicious vehicle. When instructed to stop, the driver sped off, resulting in a chase that ended in the Makgeng village in Mankweng policing area.
The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found loaded with chainsaws suspected to be stolen.
The vehicle was driven back to Haenertsburg SAPS, where the recovered items were booked into the SAPS 13 register. However, the Sergeant stole two of the chainsaws and sold them for personal gain. The stolen items were later recovered.
A case docket of theft and defeating the ends justice was opened against the member at Haenertsburg SAPS. The case was investigated by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. After a thorough probe, the case was presented to the Senior State Prosecutor, who issued a notice to appear at court J175 on 24 October 2025. He appears several times until, on the final day, Friday 06 February 2026, where he was sentenced to twelve (12) months of direct imprisonment without an option of fine. He was also declared unfit unfit to possess a firearm.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, strongly condemned the conduct of the member, stating that the SAPS does not tolerate corruption or criminal behaviour within its ranks.
