Two former Fidelity security guards, Tinyiko Thomas Maluleke (41), and Rofhiwa Emmanuel Luvhimbi (31), have been convicted for theft of R2.9 million by the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Maluleke and Luvhimbi conspired and stole almost R2.9 million between December last year and January this year. The pair had collected money from various places but instead of making deposits, they took the money for themselves.
The theft was reported by the pair’s manager after Maluleke and Luvhimbi failed to account for the missing money. An operation comprising the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime intelligence, the Makhado Task Team and the Thohoyandou Tactical Response Team was tasked to investigate the matter.
Almost R2.7 million was recovered when police arrested two guards separately in Ravele Riverside area and the other in Waterval just outside Elim. The investigation team searched three different locations through an overnight operation and found banknotes buried in the convict’s yards, some of it stashed in ice-cream containers and refuse bags while underground. One of the suspects had already bought a double cab vehicle and building material which were later confiscated by the investigating team.
The pair made a series of court appearances before the Makhado Regional Court until they were recently convicted. The court has sentenced Maluleke and Luvhimbi to nine (9) years direct imprisonment without an option of a fine.
