PHOTO: MBONGENI MDLALOSE
AFTER Empangeni SAPS arrested a Congolese national for the possession of property suspected to be stolen, Empangeni Magistrate’s Court released the man and threw the case out.
Wilondela Songolo (39) was arrested on Tuesday afternoon at his rented property in Abelia Road, Empangeni.
Following a tip-off from a resident, a task team was deployed to the scene and upon arrival found 11 laptops and more than five digital cameras in his possession.
On Friday he took to the dock and was subsequently released as the court declined to prosecute him owing to insufficient evidence proving that the property was stolen.
Empangeni SAPS Spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said the police was discouraged by the ruling of the court.
‘When we receive such information we immediately respond, there is little time to do extensive investigations,’ Mdlalose said.
‘Instead of remanding the matter and keeping him in police custody so we can conduct further investigations, he is released.
‘It is very disheartening. There has been an influx of residential burglary and these stolen goods could belong to victims of crime,’ he said.
