Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed the sentencing of a policeman who exploited his position in an anti-stock theft unit, highlighting the impact of corruption on agricultural communities. He praised prosecutors and police officers who worked on the case.
Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed the 12-year prison sentence handed to a policeman who abused his powerful position as a member of an anti-stock theft unit and orchestrated the theft of livestock valued at R80,000.
Rhulani Herbert Maringa, 44, a member of the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit in Cullinan, east of Pretoria, was convicted of orchestrating the theft from the nearby Zonderwater Correctional Services in April, 2019.
Evidence presented before the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court revealed that Maringa abused his position to plan the crime and guide his accomplices. Two of the accomplices who took part in the theft of cattle later turned State witnesses after being arrested.
Maringa’s scheme was uncovered after police received a tip-off from a farmer who had purchased the stolen cattle valued at R80,000.
Maringa pleaded not guilty and after conviction his defence, in mitigation of sentence, argued that there was no financial loss as the cattle had been recovered. However, the argument was rejected by both the State and the court, stressing the seriousness of the offence given Maringa’s role in law enforcement.
Reacting to the sentencing, the minister described the involvement of a specialised stock theft officer in such a crime as shameful, noting that such actions undermined public trust in essential institutions. He said the court’s ruling and sentence serve as a vital deterrent to others who might consider exploiting their positions of power to harm agricultural communities
“Stock theft is not a victimless crime; it causes extreme economic hardship and profound emotional distress to our farmers, who remain the backbone of our national agricultural sector,” he said.
“I want to commend the diligent work of the prosecution and the investigators who left no stone unturned to ensure justice prevailed,” Steenhuisen added.