File picture: AP Photo, Elise Amendola
FIVE Zimbabwean nationals - Mbonisi Ndlovu, 27, Doubt Mlilo, 28, Mbonisi Dube, 33, Mduduzi Ndlovu, 23, and Gundo Masikhiwa, 26 - were sentenced for the theft of solar batteries and copper cables in the Northern Cape as well as for illegally entering and remaining within the borders of South Africa.
Provincial National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the police received information regarding suspicious activity near the Vodacom cellphone tower near Upington on July 29, 2023.
“The accused entered the country at the farm Eensaam Kasteel. The police found the accused in possession of the stolen essential infrastructure items. They were arrested and charged in connection with the theft of two Vodacom cell tower batteries and copper cables. It was later determined that Mbonisi Ndlovu, Doubt Mlilo, Mbonisi Dube and Mduduzi Ndlovu were Zimbabwe nationals who had entered and remained within the borders of South Africa illegally,” said Senokoatsane.
He added that the accused were found guilty of the theft of essential infrastructure, theft of non-ferrous metals and contravention of the Immigration Act.
“In aggravation of sentence, Sstate advocate Zelma Beukes argued that the sentence should reflect the serious impact that theft and damage to essential infrastructure had on service delivery. Reaching emergency services and other essential services was negatively impacted because of theft and damage to essential infrastructure. The theft and damage had dire repercussions and negatively impacted cellular service providers, which suffer losses amounting to billions of rand annually through the theft and vandalism of their infrastructure.”
Senokoatsane stated that Beukes pointed out that the sentence should also send a strong message to would-be offenders that the theft of essential infrastructure would not be tolerated by the court.
“This sentiment had to be echoed with harsh punishments that fit both the crime and the criminal.”
Senokoatsane said that the accused were all found guilty and were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the theft of the batteries and nine months imprisonment for the theft of the cables.
“Mbonisi Ndlovu and Mduduzi Ndlovu were sentenced to three years imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act.”
He added that the NPA would adopt a focused approach that ensured that harsher sentences were imposed where communities were deprived of basic services.
“The asset forfeiture unit will be brought in to rein in the kingpins,” he said.