On Saturday 24 August 2023, members of Public Order Police Unit Bloemfontein together with Private Security Companies and Neighbourhood watch arrested a 40-year-old male in possession of stolen copper cable. The suspect was stopped and searched in Dennis Pooley Street, East End and housebreaking implements; hacksaw and pliers were found in a backpack he was carrying.
Preliminary investigation was conducted and CENTLEC Security Officers confirmed that the copper was cut and stolen in Bloemspruit area; as a result the households in Shannon area and surrounding residential and business premises were left without electricity. A case docket was opened at Bloemspruit Police Station for Damaging of Essential Infrastructure, Criminal Amendment Act 18/ 2015, theft of copper cable and possession of housebreaking implements. The repair and replacement cost of the stolen copper cable was estimated at R256 000.00.
The trial started in Bloemfontein Magistrate Court and Emmanuel Moeketsi Sello (40) was sentenced to spend 15 years’ direct imprisonment for Damaging of Essential Infrastructure.
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