{"id":294662,"date":"2026-02-11T10:31:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/?p=294662"},"modified":"2026-02-11T10:32:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:32:00","slug":"hawks-secure-five-year-sentences-for-molteno-copper-cable-thieves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/hawks-secure-five-year-sentences-for-molteno-copper-cable-thieves\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks secure five-year sentences for Molteno copper cable thieves"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>MOLTENO<\/strong> \u2013 The Komani<strong>&#8211;<\/strong>based Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks successfully secured the conviction and sentencing of two men for copper cable theft on 10 February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, Gabriel Modula (37) and Lionel Bar (37), who have been in custody since their arrest in March 2024, were convicted on 9 February for possession of stolen copper cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He further said that on 10 February, the Molteno Magistrate&#8217;s Court sentenced both to five years&#8217; direct imprisonment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/sterkspruit-man-gets-25-years-for-raping-10-year-old-girl\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/komani-karoo\/sterkspruit-man-gets-25-years-for-raping-10-year-old-girl\/\">Sterkspruit man gets 25 years for raping 10-year-old girl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The case follows an operation on 22 March 2024, when Molteno SAPS members stopped a white Ford Ranger at a residence in Y Section, Molteno. Inside the vehicle, officers found four bags of cut copper cables,&#8221; said Fumba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Further investigations by the Hawks led to the seizure of bolt cutters, grinders, a scale, and 191 kilograms of copper cables worth approximately R191,000<strong>.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Provincial Head of the Hawks<strong>,<\/strong> Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya<strong>,<\/strong> said this sentence sends a strong message that organised copper theft will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This conviction is a firm step in protecting South Africa&#8217;s infrastructure and holding criminals accountable,&#8221; said Ngwenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/security-guard-sentenced-for-copper-cable-robbery-conspiracy\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/security-guard-sentenced-for-copper-cable-robbery-conspiracy\/\">Security guard sentenced for copper cable robbery conspiracy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr 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