FORMER POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR MULTIPLE HOUSEBREAKINGS

23 July 2025

FORMER POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR MULTIPLE HOUSEBREAKINGS

De Aar, Northern Cape – The De Aar Regional Court has sentenced Thanduxolo Kwindla (38), a former police constable, to an effective eight years of direct imprisonment after convicting him on four counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft. Kwindla, who resigned from the South African Police Service shortly before committing the offences, carried out the housebreakings between August 2021 and April 2023 in Nonzwakazi location, where he also resided.

His modus operandi involved breaking into homes during the evening and stealing valuable items to support his drug addiction. The stolen goods are estimated to be worth around R35,000. He was arrested on 23 April 2023 and remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Xolisa March emphasised the seriousness and prevalence of housebreaking and theft in the area. She argued that as a former officer of the law, the accused had betrayed public trust and acted with full awareness of the unlawfulness of his actions. The court also considered two Victim Impact Statements, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Trott Manghana, which outlined the emotional and financial toll on the victims.

In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged Kwindla’s circumstances but stressed the severity of his crimes and their impact on both victims and the broader community. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on each count, with the court ordering that, in terms of Section 280 of the Criminal Procedure Act, the sentences run concurrently, amounting to an effective eight-year sentence.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and reaffirms its commitment to holding offenders accountable, especially those who once served in positions of public trust. The NPA remains dedicated to safeguarding communities and strengthening confidence in the criminal justice system.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson Northern Cape Division

MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za

073 423 3539

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