A letter to my Pickpocket: reflections on theft in Johannesburg
First, Congratulations on your sublime skills. I didn't feel a thing when you lifted my cellphone on that busy Jozi street. It was one of the cheaper Mobicell models but I'm sure that, with your abilities, you will graduate to bigger things (Samsung, Huawei etc).
The Good Book proclaims that one's talent will bring one before kings. I hope yours brings you before a judge. Soon.The phone doesn't have much storage space, so i suggest that you lift a storage disk as well.
The touchscreen feature often becomes a thumbscreen feature. Of course, it's the information that's a real loss. Google adds to my woes by insisting on sending codes to the stolen phone. I suppose in their wonderful world, no-one ever changes devices. They should visit Johannesburg.
As I'm now unable to access my blog's administration area, perhaps you could guest blog until I can. Something on the joy and fulfillment that your line of work brings might be a good start. Perhaps you could become an online Fagan, with hints, tips and instructions in the ignoble art.
Some of us may need to join the profession, what with our economic woes and Eskom's sterling contribution.To anyone else reading this letter, if you happen to know me (Joburg being such a small village), please send vour contacts. I'm rebuilding my directory with some pain.
Contact details for Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and Pearl Thusi would be a promising beginning. I would hate them to misinterpret my silence as a lack of caring.
Dear Pickpocket, I suggest that you target some of our elected officials in future. Some seem to accept jungle law and ethics as normal in our beloved country. It shouldn't bother them, then, as much as it bothers some of us.
Yours in shared ownership.
Richard J Mann
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IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
A letter to my Pickpocket: reflections on theft in Johannesburg
Dear Pickpocket First, Congratulations on your sublime skills. I didn't feel a thing when you lifted my cellphone on that busy Jozi street. It was one of the cheaper Mobicell models but I'm sure that, with your abilities, you will graduate to bigger things (Samsung, Huawei etc). The Good Book proclaims that one's talent will bring one before kings. I hope yours brings you before a judge. phone doesn't have much storage space, so i suggest that you lift a storage disk as well. The touchscreen feature often becomes a thumbscreen feature. Of course, it's the information that's a real loss. Google adds to my woes by insisting on sending codes to the stolen phone. I suppose in their wonderful world, no-one ever changes devices. They should visit Johannesburg. As I'm now unable to access my blog's administration area, perhaps you could guest blog until I can. Something on the joy and fulfillment that your line of work brings might be a good start. Perhaps you could become an online Fagan, with hints, tips and instructions in the ignoble art. Some of us may need to join the profession, what with our economic woes and Eskom's sterling anyone else reading this letter, if you happen to know me (Joburg being such a small village), please send vour contacts. I'm rebuilding my directory with some pain. Contact details for Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and Pearl Thusi would be a promising beginning. I would hate them to misinterpret my silence as a lack of caring. Dear Pickpocket, I suggest that you target some of our elected officials in future. Some seem to accept jungle law and ethics as normal in our beloved country. It shouldn't bother them, then, as much as it bothers some of us. Yours in shared ownership. Richard J Mann
IOL News
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High Court dismisses appeal of man sentenced to 8 years for cellphone theft
A man sentenced to eight years imprisonment for theft of cellphone has had his appeal on the sentence dismissed by High Court Image: Pexels A man from Potchefstroom in North West, who was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for stealing a Samsung cellphone, appealed against his sentence, stating that it was unjustifiably severe and disproportionate to his offence. However, the Mahikeng High Court dismissed the appeal. On March 1, 2022, Petros Masigo snatched the Samsung cellphone from a vehicle while his victim was seated. During the commission of the offence, Masigo is said to have been with an unknown accomplice who deliberately distracted the victim. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ While the victim was distracted, Masigo reached into the vehicle and took the phone. At the time of his arrest, he was 39 years old, single, and working at Witrand Hospital as a cleaner earning R5,000. His child at the time was 15 years old, and when he was sentenced, he had already spent a year in custody. 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The theft of such a device can lead to secondary financial losses, identity theft, and psychological harm to the victim,' said Acting Judge (AJ) Charlotte Oosthuizen-Senekal. Additionally, she said the impact of theft extends beyond the mere replacement cost of the device itself. Oosthuizen-Senekal said the Regional Court took into account the personal circumstances of Masigo; however, it could not ignore his extensive criminal record dating back to 2004, which reveals a persistent and troubling pattern of dishonest conduct spanning nearly two decades. 'The appellant had been released on parole multiple times but was reincarcerated due to violations. His most recent supervision ended in 2019. Nonetheless, he reoffended in March 2022, indicating a persistent disregard for the law and an unwillingness to reform,' she added. Despite having served several terms of direct imprisonment, the appellant has not been deterred from engaging in criminal conduct. 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