BLOEMFONTEIN – The Bloemfontein Regional Court has sentenced seven Zimbabwean nationals to a minimum of 10 years’ direct imprisonment each for the theft and damage to valuable infrastructure material worth R2.5 million belonging to Eskom. The court sentenced the men during the proceedings on Thursday. The accused are Tatenda Mutanda (29), Simon Sithole (36), Phillip Chatenhedza (35), Prosper Chiwanda (32), Tiwashe Miziri (40), Themba Dube (39), and Kamokeni Chikuse (43).

Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, spokesperson for the Hawks in the Free State, said the accused’s conviction and sentencing was a result of an investigation by the Hawks and stemmed from their arrest by the Bloemfontein Police Flying Squad on the N6 on 20 November 2022. He said the court sentenced five of the accused — Mutanda, Chatenhedza, Chiwanda, Dube and Chikuse — to an additional 12 months’ imprisonment for being in South Africa illegally.

“Information was received about a group of suspects travelling from the Eastern Cape towards Bloemfontein in two vehicles, a truck and a VW Polo. Upon searching the truck, copper material estimated at over R100 000 was found. A transformer with damage worth about R2.5 million was also recovered,” said Mohobeleli.

He said the truck was returned to its rightful owner following an investigation, while the Polo, confiscated during the men’s arrest, was being kept at police storage. The accused were remanded in custody for the duration of their trial after they were denied bail. They will be deported to their country of origin after they complete their prison term.

The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, has applauded everyone involved and the police’s prompt reaction after receiving credible information and a thorough investigation that secured the men conviction and sentencing.