Bloemfontein: Two men, 50-year-old Tomo Maema and 39-year-old Molewa Ramoiloa, have been sentenced in the Bloemfontein Regional Court for theft and damage to Transnet infrastructure.

According to South African Police Service, on 24 July 2024, Maema and Ramoiloa were apprehended by private security working alongside Parkweg police while removing and stealing signal cable belonging to Transnet. They were immediately arrested and charged with damage to infrastructure and theft from infrastructure. Further investigation by the Parkweg Detectives Economic Group revealed that the two are also illegal immigrants. The two men remained in custody following their arrest.

After rigorous investigations conducted by the team, both accused pleaded guilty to all charges. The court sentenced Maema and Ramoiloa to 10 years imprisonment each, with half of the sentence suspended for a period of five years and six months for contravention of the Immigration Act.