From Protector to Pilferer: Ex-Limpopo Cop Jailed for Stealing Seized Chainsaws

In a case that strikes at the heart of public trust, a former Limpopo police sergeant has been sentenced to a year behind bars for stealing chainsaws that were under his own custody as evidence.

Leonard Madikana Maraka, 51, formerly attached to the Haenertsburg Visible Policing Unit, was convicted of theft and defeating the ends of justice in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday. His fall from grace began during a routine crime prevention operation in March 2024.

The Crime Within the Crime

The court heard that Maraka and his colleagues were on patrol when they spotted a suspicious vehicle. After a chase into Makgeng village, the driver fled, abandoning a vehicle loaded with suspected stolen chainsaws. Following procedure, the items were booked into the SAPS 13 registera secure evidence systemat the Haenertsburg police station.

However, Maraka later betrayed his duty. He removed two of the seized chainsaws from custody and sold them for personal gain. The theft was uncovered, leading to an investigation by the provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. The stolen items were eventually recovered, but the breach of trust was irrevocable.

Swift Condemnation from the Top

The case was enrolled for prosecution in October 2025, culminating in last week’s sentencing. The court handed down a 12-month direct prison term with no option of a fine and declared Maraka unfit to possess a firearm.

Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe was unequivocal in her condemnation. She stated that the South African Police Service “would not tolerate corruption or criminal conduct within its ranks,” reinforcing the message that those tasked with upholding the law are held to a higher standard.

A Blow to Community Trust

This sentence sends a clear signal that internal corruption is being taken seriously. Yet, the case also highlights a damaging vulnerability: when evidence itself is not safe in police hands, it undermines the entire justice process. For communities already skeptical of law enforcement, such acts by a serving officer deepen the rift between the police and the public they are sworn to protect.

Maraka’s case is a stark reminder that the uniform is not a shield against accountability, but rather a symbol of a responsibility that, when violated, demands the sternest of consequences.

{Source: IOL}

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