FOREIGN NATIONAL IMPRISONED FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
15 July 2025
FOREIGN NATIONAL IMPRISONED FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Gqeberha Regional Court has sentenced a Zimbabwean national, Thabiso Mafempi (35), to five years imprisonment, two years of which is suspended, for the possession of stolen essential infrastructure. The offence took place on 02 June 2024 at approximately 15:30 on Olive Lane in Lovemore Park, Gqeberha. The following morning, a representative from Combined Private Investigations, an entity contracted by Telkom SA, visited Walmer SAPS following a report from TACNET Security. The report detailed the arrest of a suspect by TACNET Security members and the recovery of suspected stolen Telkom SA cable.
The recovered cable was positively identified as a 20-pair aerial Telkom SA cable. It weighed 7.4 kilograms, measured approximately 25 metres in length, and was valued at R520. Telkom SA confirmed that no individual or company, apart from its officially appointed service provider, Sindawonye, an entity contracted by Telkom SA, was authorised to possess, transport, or interfere with its copper cables or infrastructure. The accused made his first court appearance on 05 June 2024, and the state successfully opposed his release on bail. After a year in custody, he pleaded guilty.
In aggravation of sentence, Regional Court Prosecutor Babalwa Mabulu argued that crimes involving the damage and theft of essential infrastructure not only pose a serious economic burden but also disrupt vital communication services. She called for a custodial sentence that would reflect the gravity of the offence and serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Welcoming the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Barry Madolo, commended the swift response by TACNET Security, SAPS, and the prosecution team. “Crimes targeting essential infrastructure such as telecommunications cables are a direct attack on the country’s socio-economic stability and must be met with firm consequences. This sentence sends a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated,” he said. The NPA remains committed to working in partnership with law enforcement agencies and the private sector to safeguard South Africa’s critical infrastructure and uphold the rule of law.
Issued by:
Luxolo Tyali
Regional Spokesperson – Eastern Cape Division
National Prosecuting Authority
047 501 2630
Enquiries: nmakupula@npa.gov.za
068 268 2473