DURBAN – A stolen peacock was recovered the same week two men were sentenced and fined for stealing a peacock in October 2020.
On Friday morning, Reaction Unit SA (Rusa) were contacted after a passer-by saw two men selling a peacock to the occupants of a white VW Golf GTI on Todd Street in Verulam, said Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram.
He said when reaction officers responded, they found the peacock on the back seat of the vehicle with its legs bound with a piece of material.
“According to the driver of the car, he had paid the two individuals R300. The suspects had removed the feathers from the bird which they intended on selling separately,” Balram said.
“They informed reaction officers that the proceeds of the sale were to be used to purchase heroin.”
Meanwhile, in the week, the two men who had abducted Henry the peacock were sentenced and fined.
The abduction had gone viral in October 2020. Marshall Security Special Ops Team and armed response officers were involved in a high-speed chase with the suspects who had been spotted attempting to steal a vehicle by the Umdloti Urban Improvement Precinct.
During the chase the vehicle overturned, the suspects were then arrested and Henry was found in the boot.
The peacock was slightly injured.
The Daily News’ sister publication, the Sunday Tribune, had reported that Njabulo Shandu and Sanele Zindela pleaded guilty to the charges before magistrate Sophie Reddy at the Durban Regional Court on Thursday.
Marshall Security spokesperson Tyron Powell said Shandu and Zindela received a suspended sentence of five years, fined R 5 000 and were also required to pay an additional R10 000 into the Criminal Asset Recovery Fund.
“The suspects were found guilty of attempted theft of a motor vehicle, possession of car break-in implements, reckless and negligent driving … and theft of a peacock!
“Although our officers played their part with vigilance when the incident occurred, pursuing and apprehending the suspects, we honour the work of all police officials who followed through with investigations and performed their due diligence in ensuring these suspects were convicted,” Powell said.
He said members and units that ensured successful prosecution included specialist prosecutor advocate K Pillay and the Durban North Detective Team, the SAPS Occult Unit, and warrant officer Matsena from anti-corruption.
The Sunday Tribune said a third suspect was still at large.
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