A 40-year-old Northern Cape man has been convicted after pleading guilty in a case involving unpolished diamonds worth more than R77 000, which were discovered during a vehicle search in Springbok.
Neels Reginald Marving entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the State, bringing an end to a case dating back to March 2021.
The Springbok Magistrate’s Court approved the agreement, resulting in Marving receiving a suspended sentence and the forfeiture of the diamonds to the State.
Police search uncovers diamonds worth R77 016
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the case began in March 2021 when members of the Springbok Flying Squad stopped Marving in Springbok.
The officers searched his vehicle with his permission and discovered two objects suspected to be diamonds.
These were sent for evaluation, which confirmed they were unpolished diamonds valued at R77 016.
Following the discovery, Marving was arrested and charged.
Accused pleads guilty after years of court appearances
The case remained before the courts for several years before Marving reached a plea agreement with the prosecution.
Thebe said the agreement was approved by the Springbok Magistrate’s Court, paving the way for his sentencing.
“After numerous court appearances, the suspected entered into a plea agreement with the State, pleading guilty and the court sentenced him.”
Under the agreement, Marving was sentenced to a fine of R15 000 or 30 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years subject to conditions.
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered that the unpolished diamonds, valued at R77 016, be forfeited to the State.
“The accused was further declare unfit to possess a firearm,” Thebe said.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za
