FREE STATE – Personal Mogovera (38), Tymore Sithole (24), Solomon Sithole (21) appeared before the Kroonstad Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 07 September 2022 where they were convicted and sentenced as charged for theft of copper cable and illegal immigration.

Their conviction originates from an incident which took place on 31 December 2021 where the local police in Kroonstad were patrolling on the N1 road and became suspicious of a bakkie. The police then stopped the bakkie and searched it. Upon searching the vehicle, the police discovered copper cable and two bolt cutters. The suspects were arrested after they failed to prove ownership of the copper cable. The copper cable was then identified by Transnet official with an estimated value of more than R100 000-00.

The case was then handed over to the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Welkom which culminated into the conviction and sentencing of the accused. The court sentenced the accused to fifteen (15) years direct imprisonment for theft and three (3) months imprisonment for illegal immigration, both sentences will run concurrently.

The Hawks' Provincial Head in Free State Major General Mokgadi Bokaba commended the work done by the investigating officer. “It’s a good conviction we really congratulate the officer who dealt with the matter and the understanding of the court into the harm caused by criminals in this types of crime”.

Source: South African Police Service