Detectives from the Durban North SAPS celebrated another successful conviction yesterday, led by Detective Sipho Shezi, this time of a housebreaking suspect who had been operating in the Durban North area in 2020.
The accused, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, was found guilty on three counts of housebreaking and theft and one count of possession of housebreaking implements, and was sentenced to 7.5 years direct imprisonment at the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Ngcobo was first arrested in June 2020 after a three and a half hour stake-out by members of our Special Operations Team following multiple housebreakings by the suspect during the course of the evening, in the Virginia area. The stolen items in his possession were linked to the properties he had broken into, and were key exhibits in the case against him.
The suspect was initially refused bail for the first three counts, but was then released on bail due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The suspect was then rearrested in December 2020 by Sgt Nkosi and Sgt Nkwanyana from the Durban North Crime Prevention unit, for being in possession of housebreaking implements. Due to Ngcobo reoffending, he was denied bail and has been in custody until his sentencing yesterday.
Ngcobo received the following sentence:
- Count 1 – 3 years direct imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.
- Count 2 – 3 years direct imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.
- Count 3 – 12 months direct imprisonment for housebreaking and theft.
- Count 4 – 6 months direct imprisonment possession of housebreaking implements.
News of this conviction follows three other recent successes:
- The 10 year direct imprisonment of a notorious vehicle thief
- The sentencing and fining of car theft suspects in possession of stolen peacock
- 5 Year imprisonment for convicted suspect escaping lawful custody
