A copper syndicate member, Samuel Msimango (36), who pleaded guilty to stealing Transnet copper cables worth R852 799,24, received a suspended sentence. The Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment on 14 October, wholly suspended for five years.
Msimango’s sentencing is the culmination of further investigation done by the Welkom Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team working with the Kroonstad police’s Highway Patrol members, who arrested the accused. They pounced on Msimango on 26 October 2022, thereafter handing the case over to the Hawks for further investigation.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Msimango received the suspended sentence on the condition that he is not found guilty of a similar criminal offence during the suspension of his sentence.
“He pleaded guilty and was sentenced for possession of stolen copper cable. The Kroonstad police’s Highway Patrol members stopped the vehicle he was driving towards the northern direction on the N1 road. During the search, they discovered two bundles of copper cables to the value of R852 799,24, which were identified as the property of Transnet,” said Singo.
