THREE ESWATINI NATIONALS WERE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR DAMAGING ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The Belfast Regional Court has convicted and sentenced three eSwatini Nationals, to 15 years of direct imprisonment for damaging essential infrastructure and Contravention of the Immigration Act. Thembinkosi Robert Zwane (25), Saneliso Lucky Shabalala, and Musa Twice Mabuza (34) were charged along with Sandile Mabuza (30) who pleaded not guilty to the crimes and the case against him was postponed to 05 December 2022, in the same court.
On 15 October 2021, the accused unlawfully and intentionally cut and stole 67 meters of contact wire, from Transnet at Wonderfontein. This took days for replacement service as trains could not function and transport goods. The four were arrested the same day after the police received information from the intelligence. Zwane, Shabalala and Mabuza pleaded guilty and were subsequently convicted of damaging essential infrastructure and Contravention of the Immigration Act.
Addressing the court for a suitable sentence prosecutor Makhosonke Mashinini, told the court that these offences are prevalent and serious and hurt the ailing economy. Zwane was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for damaging essential infrastructure and 18 months for the Contravention of Immigration Act. Shabalala and Mabuza were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for damaging essential infrastructure and 12 months for the Contravention of Immigration Act.
The NPA welcomes the conviction and sentence.
