The Free State High Court has cracked the whip on six brazen members of a copper syndicate, sentencing each to 30 years’ imprisonment. The court found them guilty of damaging essential infrastructure, and theft of copper cables at a Centlec transformer in Dewetsdorp.
They accused are: Moleleki Lebusho (22), Thabang Molelu (28), Ramokoatsi Raleting (18), Tshweute Raleting (27), Mokotla Raleting (29) andThabo Mokhethi (25).
They were sentenced on Tuesday, 19 November, for the damage to infrastructure offence committed in October 2021.
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, provincial police spokesperson, said the handing down of harsh sentences were the culmination of the meticulous efforts of the Provincial Organised Crime unit’s investigation, led by WOs Krokkie Engelbrecht and Eliazer Mohotsi, collaborating with the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Adv. Johan de Vries.
He said a compelling case was presented in court against the syndicate members, resulting in this significant sentence regarding their persistent criminal activities targeting critical infrastructure in Dewetsdorp.
“Magistrate Dumisani Sisusa concluded that the accused posed a significant threat to the community.
“On 30 October 2021, the Dewetsdorp police received a report of two poles being cut and suspected copper cable theft at the local wastewater treatment plant. Police officers confirmed copper cables had been stolen from the transformer.
“On 27 November 2021, the same transformer was targeted by a group of seven suspects, resulting in water service disruptions and damages totaling R210 000.
“The court handed each offender a 15-year sentence for damage to essential infrastructure and another 15 years for theft of copper cables,” said Kareli.
He said an additional two-month sentence was imposed on five accused, found to be in South Africa illegally.
Kareli said the accused were arrested shortly after the discovery of the theft and damage at the transformer.
One suspect was acquitted during the trial.
“This sentencing serves as a strong warning to anyone involved in the damaging or stealing of essential infrastructure, which disrupts community services and undermines societal progress,” said Kareli.
Centlec, power distributor to the Mangaung Metro Municipality, has welcomed the conviction and the sentences.
The entity recorded 88 cases of infrastructure damage and theft of copper cables during the period of 1 January 2021 to 30 July 2022.
Centlec stated the recent spate of theft and vandalism during June amounted to R1,2 million, and about R1,87 million last year for the period of April 2019 to March 2022.
Lele Mamatu, spokesperson for the entity, stated that the spate of theft and damage of infrastructure amounted to R1,2 million during June last year, and about R1,87 million for the period of April 2019 to March 2022.
The syndicate persists in targeting infrastructure belonging to private-public entities which include MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, Cell C, Eskom, Transnet, and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
