Queenstown Regional Court sentenced Borca Nergio (34), Casper Una (42), Ernest Mulima (25), Donald Msindisi (34), Nandos Khoza (26), Zakeya Maguana (37) and Donald Ubise (26) on 7 November 2023 for damage to essential infrastructure, theft and contravention of the immigration act.
On Monday, 2 May 2022 at about 20:55 a white Toyota Fortuner with a GP registration plate was transporting stolen copper cables worth more than R700 000. The vehicle had eight (8) occupants including the driver. The vehicle was spotted at Cathcart Street by K9 members and they were arrested for being in possession of the then suspected property. All suspects were foreign nationals from Johannesburg.
The seven accused were remanded in custody ever since their arrest while the 8th one, Raul Emanuel Auchele (50) was released on bail. They made a series of court appearances until 7 November 2023. The seven accused received the following sentences individually:
– Count 1 – Damage to essential infrastructure = 7 years direct imprisonment
– Count 2 – Theft 15 years direct imprisonment
– Count 3 – Contravention of the immigration act = 3 years direct imprisonment
Each of the accused according to the sentence is expected to spend 25 years incarcerated but due to the fact that count 1 and 3 run concurrently they will each spend 15 years incarcerated.
Auchella’s case is still in court as he is repeatedly failing to appear in court due to ill-health
The Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya expressed his elation with the sentence as the damage to essential infrastructure is adversely affecting the economy of the country.
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