Copper cable thief sentenced to 31 years
The investigating officer was Detective Sergeant Sylvia Moremedi of Ekurhuleni District Essential Infrastructure Unit based at Crystal Park SAPS.
The Benoni Magistrate’s Court recently sentenced Geldo Phakule to 31 years direct imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure.
He was convicted on three counts of tampering with essential infrastructure, theft of ferrous metals and being an illegal immigrant.
Phakule was arrested on May 5, last year, after a security officer caught him red-handed in possession of suspected stolen copper cables and a bolt cutter, in the Zesfontein area in Etwatwa.
The investigation revealed that the cables belonged to Transnet.
According to SAPS Ekurhuleni District communications officer Captain Nelda Sekgobela, Phakule was taken to Etwatwa SAPS for detention.
The docket was later transferred to Detective Sergeant Sylvia Moremedi of Ekurhuleni District Essential Infrastructure Unit based at Crystal Park SAPS, whose thorough investigation led to his conviction.
Crystal Park SAPS has welcomed the sentencing.
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