GQEBERHA - Thieves who steal cable from essential infrastructure must be harshly dealt with as their irresponsible actions affect service delivery to the public.

On 22 May 2022, a 25-year-old New Brighton man was sentenced in the Gqeberha Regional court to 12 years imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure. On 12 July 2021 while a security officer who is tasked to patrol the railway tracks was on his routine patrol in Grahamstown Road in Deal Party, noticed the accused busy banging the railway track’s points machine in an attempt to remove the cabling from the machine. The estimated damage caused on the track was R100 000-00. Mtase Ndoda was apprehended and detained in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act – damage to essential infrastructure.

He remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso welcomed the sentencing and re-iterated that this sentencing must serve as a warning to other perpetrators who steal cables which affects communication services, railway transport, water and electricity supply. ‘The reckless activities by these offenders prejudices the livelihood of citizens as well as impacts on the well-being, daily functioning or economic activity of the public. It is therefore incumbent on law enforcement and the community to be vigilant and arrest or report any perpetrators found to be violating the Criminal Matters Amendment Act,’ added Brig Kupiso.

Source: South African Police Service