Two Zimbabweans have been sentenced to 10 years each in jail for stealing copper cables belonging to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Namer Ndlovu, 27, and 28-year-old Collen Singanje were jailed by the Pretoria North magistrate’s court for tampering with essential infrastructure.
Mahanjana said the pair was nabbed at Eskia Mpahlele Drive in the Wonderboom area by Prasa security guards on December 21 2020.
They were found in possession of eight pieces of signal copper cables.
“The Prasa security guards took the two and the cables to the police station to report the matter, where they were arrested. They have been in custody since,” she said.
Accused plead not guilty
Mahanjana said the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, however, state prosecutor Lufuno Manena was able to prove the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The state called John Motswaledi, a corporate security investigator at Prasa, who told the court that each cable was valued at R3 000.
“However, the crime committed had an impact of over R300 000 on the company because of what went into replacing and repairing the damage done.”
She added that in aggravation, Manena told the court that damaging infrastructure affects the economy of the country, ordinary citizens, and businesses.
“He also told the court that under the circumstances, the community needs to be protected by the courts by imposing a stiff sentence to deter other criminals.
“Therefore, he asked the court to impose an appropriate sentence to restore trust in the justice system.”
Magistrate Phogotlhe Motlang agreed with the state, stating that the sentence was appropriate, according to Mahanjana.
“The NPA welcomes the sentence,” she said.
It was reported in the media at the end of 2022 that the government had proposed a six-month ban on the export of copper waste, scrap and semi-finished metals to halt the damage caused to the local economy and public infrastructure.
