A 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for his involvement in the theft of minerals valued at R26 million from Richards Bay Minerals.
Sphamandla Mdletshe appeared in the Richards Bay Regional Court on Saturday, where he was sentenced after reaching a plea agreement with the state.
Mdletshe was arrested in the North West in August last year, following an extensive police investigation and almost a year on the run.
Richards Bay Minerals Theft Investigation Leads To Arrest
His arrest came as part of an investigation into a syndicate allegedly involved in stealing and illegally trading zircon and other minerals from Richards Bay Minerals.
Police spokesperson Vincent Mukhathi said Mdletshe was among a group of suspects being investigated in connection with the mineral theft.
The investigation has also resulted in charges against 11 other accused, whose case is still before the courts.
11 Co-Accused In Richards Bay Minerals Case Return To Court
Mukhathi said the case involving Mdletshe’s 11 co-accused had been postponed to 27 August for a pre-trial conference.
The accused are expected to return to court as proceedings against them continue.
SEE TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES ACROSS LEADING PUBLICATIONS
Commenting on Mdletshe’s sentence, Mukhathi said Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, welcomed the conviction.
[DJ Warras Murder Accused Sentenced To 25 Years After Admitting R25,000 Killing]
“Welcoming the sentence, the Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, described the conviction as a significant milestone in the fight against organised crime and the theft of the country’s strategic mineral resources,” Mukhathi said.
