KOMANI – The Komani-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) of the Hawks secured a significant conviction and sentencing of cable theft perpetrators, who sought to undermine essential infrastructure within the province.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the case derives from an incident that occurred on 5 December 2021, when Molteno SAPS members, who were conducting patrols, received intelligence-driven information regarding vehicles that were suspected to be involved in copper cable theft in the Stormburg area.
He said that the officers, acting rapidly, intercepted a Jeep and a white Isuzu bakkie.
Mhlakuvana said that upon being stopped, the suspects fled on foot.
Police gave chase and successfully apprehended four suspects.
He further said that the Jeep was recovered, loaded with stolen copper cables, and the white Isuzu bakkie was abandoned by the suspects.
“Following a diligent investigation led by the Hawks, three of the accused were successfully prosecuted and sentenced by the Molteno Regional Court on 27 August for theft of copper cables, possession of stolen copper, and contravention of the Immigration Act,” said Mhlakuvana.
He said that the three accused, Ndumiso Nkala, Evans Sibanda, and Philemon Sithole, were convicted, while the fourth accused, Mutemba Edwardo, absconded from the court proceedings after being granted bail.
Mhlakuvana said that a warrant of arrest had been issued, and he remains at large while the trio have been in custody ever since their arrest.
Nkala, Sibanda, and Sithole were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for copper cable theft (count 1), 15 years for the possession of copper cables (count 2) and three months for violating the Immigration Act (count 3).
Mhlakuvana said that the court further ruled that count 2 and count 3 would run concurrently with count 1.
“This means that all three of the accused will serve 15 years of direct imprisonment,” said Mhlakuvana.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Obed Ngwenya, lauded the investigating team, emphasising the unwavering commitment to protecting the country’s essential infrastructure and ensuring that those who engage in organised criminality are brought to justice.
