Resident Magistrate ‘Mampho Mokoena has handed down a three-year prison sentence to Thapelo Tontsi, a 25-year-old former student of Makhaola High School, for his involvement in a series of thefts targeting current students. Tontsi, who hails from Lifofaneng, was found guilty of breaking into classrooms and stealing cellphones, a violation of the trust placed in him by the school community.
On October 15, 2024, Tontsi broke into a classroom at Makhaola High, stealing three cellphones from students. The items taken included an Itel A60 valued at M1,000 from Mpeoana Molise, a Hisense A4 worth M900 from Nofundo Fako, and a Nokia C1 worth M800 from Moleboheng Mosothoane. These actions not only resulted in the loss of personal property for the victims but also disrupted the educational environment.
Tontsi faced three counts of housebreaking and theft, each carrying a penalty of one year in prison or a fine of M2,000. He failed to pay the fines, leading the magistrate to impose the more severe penalty of three years in prison. However, he was given an alternative option to pay a total fine of M6,000.
In addition to the prison sentence, Magistrate Mokoena ordered the return of the stolen cellphones to their rightful owners, underscoring the court’s commitment to restoring justice for the victims. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of theft and the importance of safeguarding the integrity of educational institutions.
The ruling has been met with approval from the community, which hopes that it will deter future incidents of theft in schools and promote a safe learning environment for all students.
