A former Limpopo police sergeant has been sentenced to 12 months’ direct imprisonment after being found guilty of theft and defeating the ends of justice. Leonard Madikana Maraka (51), who was attached to Haenertsburg Visible Policing (Crime Prevention), was sentenced on Friday, 6 February, by the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court.

According to court records, the offences date back to 15 March last year. when Maraka was on duty with colleagues conducting crime prevention operations around Haenertsburg. Police spotted a suspicious vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver sped off, leading officers on a chase that ended in Makgeng village, within the Mankweng policing area.

The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Police later discovered the vehicle was loaded with chainsaws suspected to be stolen. The vehicle and recovered items were taken to Haenertsburg SAPS and booked into the SAPS 13 register.

However, the court heard that Maraka later stole two of the chainsaws from police custody and sold them for personal gain. The stolen items were subsequently recovered. A case of theft and defeating the ends of justice was opened at Haenertsburg SAPS and investigated by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.

The matter was later enrolled in court following a directive from the Senior State Prosecutor. Maraka made several court appearances before being convicted and sentenced. He was sentenced to 12 months’ direct imprisonment without the option of a fine and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the sentence should serve as a warning to officers who abuse their authority. “Police officers are entrusted with upholding the law and protecting the public. Any member who chooses to betray that trust by engaging in criminal activities will face the full might of the law,” Ledwaba said.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, also condemned the conduct, reiterating that the SAPS does not tolerate corruption or criminal behaviour within its ranks.