‘SA’s dumbest criminals’: Take a look at the line-up…

This one is a real gem…A wanted suspect decided to make a turn at the police station to find out what the hold-up in his bid to join the South African Police Force (SAPS) could be. Yes, a man on the run from the law actually thought he could apply for a cop job. Such a display of sheer stupidity should be a criminal offence in itself!

The cherry on top? Paying a visit to the police station out of free will, literally handing himself over to the authorities.

Quick round-up of some of ‘SA’s dumbest criminals

It’s right up there with the KwaZulu-Natal car thief who fell asleep on the job in the vehicle which he stole in March this year.

It would be difficult however to beat the curious case of the gang of robbers, who — in May 2018 — drove straight to Cape Town’s Pollsmoor Prison when the police gave chase. Could be they were missing the notorious maximum-security prison they call “home”?

“They…drove straight to the West Lake entrance of the prison, which is used for visitors and the prison wardens who live on the property. They got out and ran into the grounds of the prison where they were arrested,” Cape Town law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason told News24 at the time.

TRUE story…

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Latest entry on ‘SA’s dumbest criminals’ list

Moving along swiftly to our latest entry on the long list of “South Africa’s dumbest criminals”. Let’s give a warm hand to Thomas Ngcobo!

IOL reports that the 40-year-old Ngcobo has been on the run for seven long years after he allegedly stole hardware products which he was sent to deliver to clients.

“According to information at the police’s disposal, the suspect was supposed to make a hardware material delivery worth more than R20 000. It is alleged that the said material was redirected to another address without either the owner’s consent or knowledge,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

A case of theft was registered in September 2015 at the Bethal Police Station, in Mpumalanga.

Criminals walking into police stations these days…

Fast-forward to the present day with Ngcobo strolling into the police station on Monday this week.

“The suspect was unexpectedly nabbed on Monday 15 August 2022 after he visited the Bethal SAPS to make enquiries about his application for the police recruitment drive,” Mohlala said.

Ngcobo has subsequently appeared before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 16 August and was remanded in custody.

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‘It is just a matter of time’: Hurry up and wait

It has been seven years that Ngcobo has been evading the long arm of the law, but Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela jumped at the opportunity to sing the police force’s praises.

“We are working tirelessly day and night, sticking to our mandate of creating a safe environment for all citizens. We cannot achieve that stage while other suspects are still roaming the streets and terrorising communities,” she said.

“It is just a matter of time before we bring them to justice.”

Guess it helps when the sheer stupidity of the suspects see them driving to prison or walking into the police station. It’s all just a matter of time, of course…