A HEFTY SENTENCE METED OUT TO FIVE ACCUSED FOR CASES INCLUDED THEFT OF ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
POLOKWANE: Five accused aged between 18 and 60 were, on 2024/09/30 sentenced to a hefty jail imprisonment by the Thabazimbi Regional Court for criminal matters ammendment act, theft of essential infrastructure, trespassing and contravention of immigration act.
The court heard that on 2021/05/01 at around 05:00, the five accused, namely Matthew Simango (18), Thomas Seshange (60), Ernest Manual (22), Noa Josia Simango (18) and Albert Sibanda (25), police received information about the suspects seen carrying a heavy items in Northam. Upon following the leads, they were found in possession of 200 rolls of copper cables at a value of R294 000. They were immediately placed under arrest.
The case was investigated by Constable Wisani Khanye of Essential Infrastructure Task Team in Unit Northam for further investigation.
The Thabazimbi Regional Court sentenced all the accused as follows:
Count 1: Criminal Matters Amendment Act – 30 years
Count 2: Theft essential infrastructure – 15 years direct imprisonment.
Count 3: Tresspassing- 02 years imprisonment
Count 4: Contravention of immigration Act: Entering the Republic of South Africa without passports: 02 years imprisonment.
The sentences on count 2,3, and 4 shall run concurrently with the sentence in count 1, I.t.o sect 280(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Major General Samuel Manala, has welcomed the sentences handed down by court and also appreciated the efforts displayed by the investigating officer and the arresting team.
