Staff Reporter
A Scottburgh court has sentenced a 36-year-old man to 10 years’ direct imprisonment for stealing Telkom copper cables and damaging essential infrastructure.
The Scottburgh Regional Court sentenced Bonga Mzonjani Gumede after he pleaded guilty in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, the NPA said in a statement on Saturday.
Gumede pleaded guilty to contravening Section 3(1)(a) of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, which relates to “the tampering with, damaging, or destruction of essential infrastructure”.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The offence took place in the Mpambanyoni Bridge area in Scottburgh.
According to the NPA, on 24 November 2023, Gumede was confronted by security personnel while he was cutting and removing Telkom copper cables from a manhole.
He fled the scene in a vehicle and was pursued by members of the SAPS K9 Unit working with the security personnel, before being arrested while in possession of the cables.
The value of the damage and stolen copper cables was approximately R137 000.
The NPA said Gumede committed the offences with other accused persons.
Following his guilty plea, his case was separated from that of the alleged co-accused, who are expected to return to court on 12 March.
During the court proceedings, State Prosecutor Harry Du Plessis submitted a report compiled by a Telkom employee — described by the NPA as an expert in identifying Telkom property and assessing related damages.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) hopes that sentences of this nature will serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals,” the NPA said.
“The tampering with or destruction of essential infrastructure is a serious offence, as it often results in widespread disruption of services to communities and businesses.”
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