The Cradock Magistrates Court has
handed down a 10-year sentence to two males convicted of theft and damage to
essential infrastructure.
According to police spokesperson Captain Lariane
Jonker, the two suspect aged 20 and 24 were apprehended on September 7 by
members of the visible policing unit performing night patrolling on Nxenye
Street in the Lingelihle locality of Cradock.
The suspects were found to be in
possession of Eskom copper cable with a street value of R4000-00.
“Officers stopped next to what
they thought were two suspicious looking gentlemen standing next to a streetlight.
Upon investigation, a piece of cut copper cable and pliers were found in the
suspects possession leading to their immediate arrest,” said Jonker.
Acting District Commissioner
Brigadier Mabel Magqashela sang praise to the collective efforts of the
investigators and the prosecuting team that led to this conviction.
She also added that the theft of
non-ferrous metal and the detrimental effect that this has on the country’s
economy and infrastructure remains a priority focus area of the police.
