Known burglar Fhatuwani Khangale (33) was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in the Soutpansberg Regional Court on July 19, after being convicted of burglary on a farm at Beja.

In 2004, Khanhale received 18 months jail time after he was convicted of burglary on the same farm. He was, however, released on parole before serving the full sentence.

In the latest burglary, Khangale attempted to steal household goods to the value of R25 000 and was arrested with the stolen goods still in his possession. Among the witnesses that testified, even Khangale’s mother told the court that her son is a big problem in the community.

Khangale was sentenced in terms of Section 276 (1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Khangale will have to appear in court again, following an alleged assault on a fellow inmate while awaiting trail.