A Crime Intelligence officer has been sentenced to three years’ direct imprisonment for assisting an ANC councillor evade arrest for murder. The Durban Magistrate’s Court sentenced disgraced Crime Intelligence officer Thulani Obed Thango to three years in prison on Thursday. The sentence was handed down for his role in helping ANC councillor Mthokozisi Nojiyeza evade arrest for murder.
Magistrate Jackie Jonk rejected defence pleas for a lighter sentence, condemning Thango’s betrayal of his oath to serve and protect South Africa and declaring him unfit to possess a firearm. The sentencing hearing included a dramatic revelation from probation officer Sanelisiwe Khumalo, who testified that Thango’s dishonesty derailed her initial recommendation for a non-custodial sentence. Khumalo stated that her perspective changed after interviewing the investigating officer and learning that Thango had falsely claimed ignorance about the police seeking Nojiyeza.
Nojiyeza was eventually found hiding in a black Audi TT at Durban Central police station, with Peter fleeing the scene. Defence counsel Advocate Peter Nortje made a final appeal, arguing that correctional supervision would be more appropriate for Thango, a father of 10 who is still employed by the SAPS and serves as a church elder.
