REGIONAL COURT IMPOSES DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR TAMPERING WITH ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
10 December 2025
REGIONAL COURT IMPOSES DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR TAMPERING WITH ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Springbok, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed by the Springbok Regional Court on Conray Cloete (26), who received seven (7) years’ direct imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure. The matter was successfully prosecuted by Regional Court Prosecutor Basil Kock.
Cloete was convicted following a section 105A plea and sentence agreement with the State. In delivering the sentence, the court found substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, noting that Cloete is a first offender and that he cooperated fully with the police.
On 17 September 2024, Cloete unlawfully removed fittings from water storage tanks in Skietbank, fully aware that these tanks supply water to the local community. His actions caused the tanks to drain, leaving residents without access to water — a basic and constitutionally protected service. The stolen fittings were later sold at a local scrapyard. The Nama Khoi Local Municipality repaired the damaged infrastructure, and the incident was reported by a concerned community member, leading to Cloete’s arrest. He admitted that the tanks constitute essential infrastructure and acknowledged that his conduct was unlawful.
The NPA reiterates that tampering with essential infrastructure is a serious and senseless crime with far-reaching consequences. Such offences disrupt basic services, compromise public health and safety, and endanger lives — particularly in vulnerable communities that depend on uninterrupted access to water, electricity, transport, and communications. Beyond the immediate hardship caused to communities, crimes targeting essential infrastructure undermine economic growth and development. They increase maintenance and replacement costs for the State, divert scarce public resources from priority development areas, deter investment, and negatively affect service delivery, productivity, and job creation.
The NPA remains steadfast in prosecuting offences involving essential infrastructure. Communities are encouraged to assist law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities, as collective vigilance is crucial in safeguarding resources vital to social stability and economic development. These offences severely affect service delivery and deprive communities of basic services; accordingly, the NPA will continue to adopt a focused approach to ensure that, upon conviction, appropriate and deterrent sentences are imposed.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539