ALCOHOL THIEVES CONVICTED AND SENTENCED

04 OCTOBER 2025

ALCOHOL THIEVES CONVICTED AND SENTENCED

The Durban Regional Court has sentenced 11 people namely: Mpendulo Ncwabe (25), Nqubeko Ncwabe (23), Thubalake Xulu (31), Menzi Ncwabe (33), Bonginkosi Ncwabe (48), Njiva Nocawe (38), Aphiwe Mzimba (36), Phathiswa Myathaza (38), Nolwazi Sithole (39), Sisekeno Ncwabe (29), and Ncebokazi Mayekiso (34) to various terms of imprisonment after they pleaded guilty (in terms of Section 112 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977) to six counts of theft.

Between August 2024 and September 2024, the group targeted liquor stores in Newcastle, Ulundi, Esikhawini, Pinetown and Bellair. Once in the store, they would shop for certain brands of alcohol. The females in the group would then conceal the alcohol on their person (under their clothing) and leave the store, followed by the male/s co-accused.

They were eventually arrested after members of a private security company followed up on information they received about a group that was targeting liquor stores in parts of KZN. The accused were traced through the motor vehicle they used in the commission of the offences and were arrested in September 2024 in the Bellair area.

They were sentenced as follows: Nocawe, Myathaza, Sithole and Mayekiso were sentenced to six years' direct imprisonment. Mpendulo Ncwabe, Nqubeko Ncwabe, Menzi Ncwabe, Bonginkosi Ncwabe and Aphiwe Mzimba were sentenced to six years imprisonment, which was wholly suspended for a period of five years. Xulu and Sisekeno Ncwabe were sentenced to six years imprisonment, of which half was suspended for a period of 5 years. Their effective sentence will be three years' imprisonment. All 11 accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KZN obtained six confiscation orders to the value of approximately R72 000, and a Section 38 Preservation order for the motor vehicle used in the commission of an offence. The AFU was represented by Adv. Rajendrie Naidoo, and this matter was successfully finalised by Prosecutor Alexis Appalsamy.

The NPA welcomes the successful finalisation of this matter and we hope that sentences of this nature will have the necessary deterrent effect.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division

0716700229