KOMANI – On 17 September, the Komani Regional Court convicted and sentenced Sefali Matetoane on charges of copper cable theft.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, on 30 November 2021, at approximately 21:05, vigilant members from Molteno SAPS acted on intelligence information regarding a vehicle suspected of copper cable theft in the Stormberg area.
“A white Isuzu bakkie was identified and, upon police interception, the driver attempted to evade arrest. A swift pursuit ensued, which resulted in the recovery of a vehicle laden with stolen Transnet copper cables with an estimated value of R400,000,” said Mhlakuvana.
He further said that the registration of the vehicle was confirmed as HHY 082 FS and was confiscated for further investigation.
Mhlakuvana said that police apprehended four suspects immediately at the scene, who were Vuyisa James Kwaaiman (33), Matetoane (44), Bonakele Jack Ntsulela (36) and Tauri Lovemore Mudiwa (48).
During the trial, Kwaaiman and Ntsulela were released on bail, followed by Mudiwa who was later granted bail on new facts.
Three of the accused absconded and failed to return to court, which resulted in warrants of arrest being issued.
“Matetoane had been remanded in custody since his arrest, faced trial as the sole accused after the matter was separated,” said Mhlakuvana.
He said that Matetoane was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment with no option of a fine.
Mhlakuvana said that Matetoane’s sentencing resulted from an intensive investigation by Komani Serious Organised Crime Investigation under the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
