The Nxuba
(formerly Cradock) Magistrates’ Court sentenced four men to a total of 35 years
each for housebreaking, damaging essential infrastructure and theft that
occurred at the Scalen Rail Station.
National
Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said, Charlie van Dyk (43),
Elandre Senekal (29), Michelle van Straaten (23), and Kwakhanya Bolowana (28) were
sentenced to a total of 35 years each for the incident which occurred on March 15 and 29.
“The
four broke into a Transnet facility and stole four batteries, transformers, and
cables valued at R57 000, all essential for the operation of the rail network.
The stolen items were identified as belonging to Transnet, South Africa’s
state-owned rail company,” Tyali said.
He said the
theft disrupted critical operations, causing significant delays and operational
challenges for the rail network.
“The crime was uncovered when Abongile Yolwa,
a Transnet engineer, was alerted by the Johannesburg-based control room about a
malfunction on the rail line. Upon inspection, Yolwa discovered that the
facility had been broken into, with essential batteries and connecting cables
missing,” he said.
Tyali said
Yolwa immediately reported the incident to the local police.
Information
was received about the suspected stolen property, Tyali said, being offloaded
at a house in Cawood Street, Nxuba, the residence of the fourth accused,
Bolowana.
“Upon arrival,
police observed the four accused driving a Nissan bakkie but found nothing
suspicious in the vehicle. A search of Bolowana’s house also yielded no
evidence. However, two stolen batteries were discovered in a nearby parked
vehicle, which Bolowana claimed belonged to his uncle. The batteries were later
identified as part of the stolen property from Transnet,” he said.
Further
investigations led the police to the residence of van Dyk, where two additional
stolen batteries were recovered, he said. All four accused were subsequently
arrested and charged with housebreaking with intent to steal, theft, and
damaging essential infrastructure.
“Despite van
Dyk pleading guilty to the housebreaking charge, his co-accused maintained
their innocence throughout the trial. Prosecutor Makabongwe Seyibokwe, argued
for the imposition of minimum sentences, emphasising the severe impact of the
crime on essential public infrastructure and the coordinated nature of the
theft. The court concurred, sentencing the accused to the prescribed minimum
sentences which is five years for housebreaking, 15 years for damaging essential
infrastructure and 15 years for theft,” Tyali said.
Welcoming the
sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, said that
the sentence serves as a strong deterrent against crimes targeting essential
infrastructure.
“The disruption caused by such thefts extends beyond financial
loss, it undermines public safety and the effective operation of our transport
systems. We commend the efforts of the police and the prosecution team in
securing this outcome,” said Madolo.
He said
such cases affected service delivery and deprived the community of basic
services, hence the NPA would adopt a focused approach that ensured that after
conviction harsher sentences are imposed.
