A Zimbabwean man, Cosmos Ndou (36), has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the possession of a stolen motor vehicle and violating South Africa’s Immigration Act. The Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo handed down the sentence after Ndou attempted to smuggle a stolen bronze Toyota Fortuner into Zimbabwe through the Beitbridge port of entry last year.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the spokesperson for the Limpopo police, stated that Ndou was apprehended with the stolen vehicle in Limpopo, just two days after it had been reported stolen in Pretoria East. On September 18, a security company in Mookgophong received an alert from a tracking company about the stolen vehicle travelling along R101 North. The security company intercepted the vehicle, informed the driver about its reported theft, and promptly contacted the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Sergeant Lesiba Teffo of the Modimolle vehicle crime investigation unit was assigned to further investigate the case. Ndou was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to six years for possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Additionally, he received a two-year prison term for contravening the Immigration Act.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, welcomed the court’s decision and commended both the investigating officer and the security team for their diligent work in apprehending Ndou.
