A brazen burglar who assaulted a security officer within the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) premises in Bloemfontein, was issued a jail sentence with the option to pay a fine. The Bloemfontein Regional Court sentenced Mokheseng Jafta Mofokeng (29) after finding him guilty on a charge of assault.
The court imposed the sentence to pay a fine of R5 000 or serve six months in prison during his appearance on
Monday (28/05). His sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, Free State spokesperson of the Hawks, said evidence presented in court found that Mofokeng attacked one of the on-duty security officers on 16 January last year. He was given the option to pay the stipulated amount or serve six months’ direct imprisonment. He was, however, not charged for damage to the property after breaking into the SABC premises in Bloemfontein, at about 04:30. It was confirmed Mofokeng has no previous criminal record.
“He had entered unnoticed and when confronted, he became aggressive and assaulted one of the security officers. The six months’ imprisonment is wholly suspended for five years on the condition that he is not found guilty of assault during the period of suspension,” said Matoti.
She said the investigation revealed Mofokeng had interfered with the broadcaster’s satellites near the studios and the drawings on the walls of the building.
Suspected stolen items found in his possession include a letter and flash drives. It was previously reported that the intruder was shot and wounded during the scuffle with on-duty guards and received medical treatment at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. The broadcaster’s premises were evacuated after Mofokeng’s arrest. The giant broadcaster had confirmed that no employee was harmed during the burglary.
