On Monday, 02 October 2023, Ezakheni Regional Court convicted and sentenced Bongani Mbatha (32) to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for possession of stolen copper cable.
Mbatha was arrested by Hawks members from Newcastle Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Ladysmith Crime Prevention in September last year. Members received information about a suspect who was in possession of stolen copper cable and hey proceeded to the said house. A search was conducted and copper cable to the street value of approximately R550 000.00 was found. Transnet officials positively identified it as their property.
Mbatha was placed under arrest and charged for possession of stolen property. He appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court and his bail was successfully opposed. The case was transferred to Ezakheni Regional Court for trial hence he was sentenced yesterday.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona welcomed the sentence and applauded the members for the good work. “This sentence will serve as a deterrence to those who are involved in the damage of essential infrastructure”, he said.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48728.
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