SA: Zim trio jailed for 10-12 years each over theft of protected plants

By News 24

Three men were sentenced in Kroonstad after they had been arrested at the end of last year for being in the possession of protected plants. 

On 21 September, Shadrack Matambo (43), Leonard Khumalo (53), and Thabani Sibanda (39) were sentenced by the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court for the theft of cycad plants worth over R2 million.

Zimbabwean Matambo was sentenced to 10 years’ im­prisonment for theft and 3 months for being in South Africa illegally; Khumalo was handed 12 years for theft; and Sibanda will serve 8 years.

After being confronted about suspicious cargo by a traffic officer at a fuel station along the N1 near Kroonstad on 13 September 2022, the accused escaped.

They were arrested in different operations in December and February.