Parolee gets 18 years for housebreaking spree

THE DE AAR Regional Court sentenced a 24-year-old man to 18 years in prison for multiple housebreakings at the Ikwezi Day Care Centre in Nonzwakazi.

Andile Qwathi, who was out on parole for robbery at the time of committing the crimes, was convicted on three counts of housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft committed earlier this year between April and May.

On April 30, Qwathi broke into Ikwezi Day Care Centre and stole a TV worth R6 000, which he sold for R100.

On May 6, Qwathi returned and stole a Samsung flat-screen television and a computer screen worth R7 000, which he sold for R150.

During his third break-in at the day-care centre on May 8, the alarm went off, prompting an armed reaction and a quick response from the police.

While still on the premises, Qwathi was arrested.

Regional Court prosecutor, advocate Corrie Jonker, argued that Qwathi had several previous convictions for housebreaking and theft and the fact that he was out on parole for robbery when he continued with this crime spree was a clear indication that he did not rehabilitate.

The prosecution further argued that Qwathi should receive a long-term imprisonment sentence to safeguard the law-abiding community.

In agreement with the State, the court handed down a sentence of six years imprisonment for each crime.

The National Prosecuting Authority meanwhile commended the investigating officer, Sergeant Moses, for the “speedy investigations in all three case dockets, which ensured that the State’s case was concluded quickly”.