Mozambican Nationals Sentenced To 15 Years For Cable Theft
The Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court sentenced two Mozambican nationals Joel Kabene (34) and July Sithole (34), to 15 years of direct imprisonment for tampering with or destroying essential infrastructure. They were also sentenced to two years imprisonment, for being illegal in the country. The judge ordered the sentence should run concurrently and they also be declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The two were arrested the day after the offence on 15 December 2020, after they were caught by members of the Combined Private Investigations (CPI), on N4 bridge & William Cruywangen Street, cutting copper cables belonging to Telkom, valued at R10 000 which affected internet and data lines
In court, the two pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them, however, prosecutor Rabia Ebrahim asked the court to impose the minimum prescribed sentence of 15 years imprisonment regardless of them being first-time offenders. In aggravation, she further told the court, that though the value of the copper was R10 000, however, the offence resulted in the loss of income for businesses.
The National Prosecuting Authority accepts the sentence.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana:
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000