Durban — A car thief will be spending eight years in prison thanks to the capabilities of Umlazi K9 Maximus who was instrumental in the investigation.
ET Rapid Response managing director Tony Lokker said Maximus got the State eight years for a stolen motor vehicle.
On Wednesday, Lokker said that the specialist section announced the conviction and sentence of Siyabonga Arnold Madlala for the theft of a Nissan NP200 on April 15, 2021.
Lokker said that on May 7, 2021, members of ET Rapid Response received information about the stolen vehicle, kept alert, and moments later saw the vehicle travelling on the R603 and followed it while requesting additional assistance. The suspects noticed they were being followed and there was a chase until the vehicle stopped in a dead-end road in Illovo township, south of Durban. Two men jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the nearby bushes.
He said that metro police, the SAPS Umlazi K9 unit, CCPO, additional private security members and tracking companies responded to the location, to assist in the search for the suspects.
He said Madlala was charged with theft after he was arrested with the help of Maximus but was convicted of being in possession of the suspected stolen property. Unfortunately, the second suspect could not be found.
Lokker acknowledged the investigating officer, Constable Munsamy from Durban North SAPS and the specialist prosecutor, Thami Njapha, for their excellent teamwork.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed that a case of theft of a motor vehicle was opened at Durban North SAPS for investigation.
Daily News